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THE LOST GLOVE. 


BY 

HENDRIK CONSCIENCE 


"Switsfafeb from ^tiginaf ^ffemfelj. 



BALTIMORE: 
JOHN MURPHY & CO. 
1887. 









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Copyright, 1887, 

By JOHN MURPHY & CO. 



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■1 


THE LOST GLOVE 


CHAPTER L 

A STRANGE passion is this that has suddenly pos- 
sessed all the inhabitants of Europe. Everywhere, 
both in towns and villages, valises and trunks are 
made ready, maps examined, and plans of travel 
discussed. All hearts sigh for space, all eyes 
sparkle with impatient desire, hands are clapped at 
each new name, which, like a beacon, marks the 
projected route of travel. Paris, Brussels, Amster- 
dam, the Rhine, Italy, all are invoked in turn as 
offering inducements for unutterable pleasure. But 
the name which of all others excites the greatest 
enthusiasm is thine, oh, masterpiece of the Divine 
Artist! — thine, Switzerland, beauteous and favored 
land 1 

Hark to these prayers, breathed on the shores of 
the Scheldt. It is the voice of an old man who 
, exclaims, with tears in his eyes: 

“ I thank thee, my God I I shall at least see 
Switzerland before I die 1 

From whence proceeds this sudden, mad desire 
to travel ? Who thus gives wings to our souls ? 

It is that a year of work, of anxiety and struggle 

3 


4 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


is just gone. The judges have passed sentence, 
lawyers have pleaded, students have worked, those 
with incomes have economized, merchants have 
made their calculations, weighed them and trem- 
bled — to-day, hurrah ! to-day, begins the month of 
September ! 

Dear, delightful month ! how clear are thy days, 
how pleasant thy sunlight, and thy air how crisp 
and life-giving ! Thou spreadest so beautiful a tint 
over vegetation, it would almost seem every leaf 
was turned to a flower. Over thy mountains and 
valleys the changing purple which is reflected on 
all around, softening nature for every eye, as if 
bathed in a golden mist, is thy gift. 

Yes, September is the saving guardian of the 
year’s riches. Its predecessors scatter them broad- 
cast, but this month diffuses what is left, that men, 
before the coming of winter, may live again in the 
midst of a second and gorgeous springtime. 

September, too, is the month of rest and freedom. 
Those who have worked all the year counting and 
calculating, it solaces, smiling upon the heavy bur- 
dens of their daily lives, and calls to them : ‘‘ Lift 
up your hearts, lucky ones of the earth! Forward, 
forward! across the world; enjoy more and better 
during my short life than all the rest of the year, 
and, perhaps, even than during the remainder of 
your lives. Forward, forward ! You are free from 
duty, from work and from care.” 

The trains of steam-cars and the steamboats are 
already filled with English, Russians, French and 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


5 


Germans. Some are going east, others to the 
north, the greater number to the south. Seaside 
resorts and hotels resound with every idiom, as if 
the world were once more threatened with a con- 
fusion of tongues. 

Among the many who had awaited the month of 
September with feverish impatience, there were 
none happier than Herman Van Borgstal, and Max 
Rapelings. Neighbors and friends from childhood, 
they had been to school together, had followed the 
course at the university and gone through their 
first examination at the same time, though Herman 
was studying law and Max was destined for the 
profession of medicine. 

This close friendship had been their safeguard 
against the disorders of student life, and permitted 
them to keep their young illusions untarnished, 
all the more that their parents resided in the uni- 
versity town, and they had not been prematurely 
sent forth far from family life. On the contrary, 
they had been stimulated by it, for their greatest 
desire was to walk side by side in the paths of pro- 
gress and science. 

During their studies at the university, they had 
spent a portion of the holidays now at Ostend, now 
at Blankenberg, then again at Spa. They had also 
visited almost all the picturesque Ardennes. Their 
parents, who were in easy circumstances and pos- 
sessed a capital medium-class fortune — more par- 
ticularly Herman’s mother — rewarded their zeal 
and improvement in giving them the means to re- 


6 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


new their courage and strength in the pleasures of 
travel, and thereby be enabled to continue their 
difficult studies. 

Max Rapelings had an uncle who the preced- 
ing autumn had visited Switzerland, and recounted 
so many marvels of this beautiful Alpine nature, 
that by dint of talking with his friend Herman, 
Max had pricked him with an ardent desire to visit 
the land of William Tell. They were both to go 
through their final examinations during the course 
of the year, if Max, by redoubling his ardor, were 
able to stand two difficult examinations. The task 
seemed a heavy one, and they hesitated the more 
in running the risk of failure, inasmuch as they 
were not impelled to it by necessity, and were 
about to continue the course for another year, 
when their parents to encourage them let fall 
these simple words : 

If Herman becomes a lawyer this year, and 
Max a physician, they can take the trip into Swit- 
zerland.'’ 

‘‘ Into Switzerland ! Into Switzerland ! ” ex- 
claimed the young men, transported with joy. 

They went steadily to work, encouraging one an- 
other not to fail in the desired end, worked night 
and day, and finally passed their examinations with 
credit. 

But the month of September, of all the most 
favorable for a trip to Switzerland, was still far off. 
While awaiting it they undertook the study of Ger- 
man, which they already knew something of. 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


7 


bought charts and guide books, never ceasing to 
question the uncle who had seen the Alps, and 
finally entertained each other with such enthusiasm 
on the question of gigantic mountains, blue lakes, 
and enormous fields of ice, that when the month of 
September approached they were half mad with 
longing and joy. 

Finally came the ardently-wished-for day. In the 
Ghent Station, in the midst of the crowd of travelers 
and spectators who occupy the platforms, was a 
train composed of many carriages, and both families 
were there to bid farewell to the two youths — one 
of whom, Herman, was to be remarked for his 
handsome face, his black curling hair, bright 
cheeks, and sparkling eyes. Everything about him 
gave token of great simplicity of character and 
deep sensibility. His look beamed with pleasure, 
but he speaks to his mother in a low tone as if 
afraid to betray to strangers the feelings agitating 
him. 

The other young man is not handsome — far from 
it. His features are wanting in regularity, and one 
shoulder is higher than the other, in consequence 
of a fall in his childhood. Poor Max ! his fellow 
students at the University to tease him, often called 
him the Hunchback ; but he seemed altogether con- 
soled as to his deformity, and even to have for- 
gotten it. 

While Herman is listening to his mother's coun- 
sels and last farew^ells, Max cries out in a loud 
voice, Au revoir^' comes, goes, , is agitated and 


8 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


mcDving about as if the ground upon which he 
stood burnt his feet. 

Several friends came up and advised him to take 
the Luxemburg railway and cross the beautiful 
Moselle Valley to the town of Treves, where one 
may see besides the colossal Porta Nigra^ a Roman 
causeway, Roman baths and monuments which 
transport the astonished traveler into the very 
midst of pagan civilization. Then following this 
route, two hours might be spent in the enchanting 
town of Nancy, stopping at Strasburg to visit the 
Cathedral celebrated all over the world. But the 
young doctor replies they are going immediately 
to Switzerland by the way of Paris, and on their 
return will visit all worth seeing on their way. 

The station-master’s voice announces the de- 
parture of the train, Herman embraces his mother, 
whose eyes are wet with tears, as if she feared never 
to see her beloved son again. She speaks of 
danger, of perpendicular rocks and endless preci- 
pices, but he stops her with a tender farewell kiss. 

Max Rapelings warmly clasps the hands of his 
relatives and friends, listens for a moment to 
Madame Van Borgstal’s warnings, who knows 
that Max, though apparently the more thoughtless 
of the two, is really the most prudent, and more- 
over is two years older than Herman, and has 
more experience of the world, so that the mother 
begs that in Switzerland he will avoid the perils of 
the way, and confides her son to his tender care — 
but the whistle of the locomotive resounds, the 


THE LOST GLOVE. 9 

train is in motion, and Max jumping into the car- 
riage calls out: 

“Hurrah, for Switzerland!” 

As long as the train is in sight they exchange 
salutations, while waving handkerchiefs, but soon 
nothing is seen on the track but a small volume of 
black smoke. They are gone. 


10 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


CHAPTER II. 

The train stopping at Berne on the afternoon of 
the 5th of September, carried an unusual number 
of tourists. The platform where they alighted was 
at once thronged with a multitude of people of all 
countries. Men wearing felt hats, the travelling 
pouch and cudgel at their sides, and in their hands, 
or covering their shoulders, the motley blanket 
giving them the appearance of people about to 
undertake the tour of the world. Some had already 
possessed themselves of alpenstocks seven feet high 
to climb the mountains. As to the ladies, young 
and old, to show that in free Switzerland they un- 
derstood how to get rid of the yoke of fashion, they 
had chosen the most singular and fantastic cos- 
tumes. It was especially in their head-coverings 
this was to be observed. They wore straw hats, 
silk, felt, velvet ones, turned up at the sides, flat- 
tened down over the ears, elongated, twisted with 
ribbons, flowers, pearls, beads, shells, full skirts 
and scanty skirts, delicate shoes and heavy moun- 
tain boots, coats of every shape. There were many 
pretty faces, few ugly ones, blondes, brunettes, and 
even black ones. 

It seems as though a pleasure trip made even 
the most formal lose something of their stiffness, 
for they talked aloud, called to one another, and 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


II 


laughed gayly without observing their neighbors. 
In every eye could be read this cry of the soul: 

Here we are in Switzerland! 

The crowd went rapidly toward ttie end of the 
station, where those most in haste elbowed each 
other to obtain their luggage. 

A little apart from the movement of the crowd a 
young man, leaning against a wall, contemplated 
with happy astonishment all this animation. Be- 
fore him stood some Swiss, who had probably 
come from the adjoining villages. He saw women 
with head-dresses of black lace, which stood up 
straight and stiff like the wings of a gigantic butter- 
fly; young girls wearing straw hats with flowers, 
like shepherdesses, from beneath which escaped 
braids that reached to the waist; men dressed en- 
tirely in cloth of rust color; little children bediz- 
ened precisely like their grandparents ; bloated 
faces, linen of exquisite whiteness, parti-colored 
clothes. For a moment he seemed to be attending 
a representation of peasants at the Royal Theatre 
at Ghent. 

Another young man with one shoulder higher 
than the other, and who had just made a way for 
himself across the crowd, as if seeking some one, 
struck the dreamer on the shoulder, and cried ont 
to him in Flemish : 

‘‘Well, Herman, is this the way you begin? 
You will see nothing worth while until we reach 
the mountains. Be more saving of your enthusi- 
asm until we come upon what is really grand. Let 
us go. I have at last found your trunk.'' 


12 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


** But have you no eyes, Max? See these beau- 
tiful Swiss women; what charming and picturesque 
costumes ! 

“Yes, yes; they are fresh and pretty, these Al- 
pine flowers, but it is not here that we must admire 
them. We will see thousands with more beautiful 
and stranger costumes ; you know what my uncle 
said. But make haste, or the trunks will be lost 
again.'' 

Herman laughingly took his companion's arm, 
and they both went out of the station, placed their 
trunks on a porter's hand-cart, and walked into the 
town. 

They turned their eyes in every direction, and 
were not a little astonished to find the architecture 
of the houses was the same as in Ghent and Paris. 
According to their opinion, of all the towns in 
Switzerland Berne must be the most medieval, or 
had at least retained a proper and characteristic ap- 
pearance. They were already beginning to mur- 
mur against the uncle who had deceived them. 

What disappointed them was that near the sta- 
tion they only saw modern buildings, which there 
as elsewhere had no other style than that of the 
cold, monotonous and insupportable straight line. 
Herman opened conversation with the porter and 
asked him in German if all the houses in the town 
resembled these, and if there were not streets that 
recalled ancient Berne. 

“Do the gentlemen wish to see an old street?" 
he replied. “ They need not go far for this. I was 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


13 


told to bring this trunk to the Aarberg Gasse — a 
few steps more, and we are there. It is a beautiful 
street, at least for those who love old Switzerland.” 

A little further on, they turned the corner of a 
street. 

“ We are entering the Aarberg Gasse ^ gentlemen,” 
said the porter. 

‘‘ Heavens ! What is this ? ” exclaimed Herman, 
lifting up his hands. If any one told me I was in 
Spain or Constantinople, I would believe it, on my 
word.” 

‘‘ Admirable ! truly picturesque ! One could im- 
agine one’s self transported, as if by enchantment, 
into an unknown land,” muttered Max. 

For Flemings, the young men’s surprise was 
quite natural, for some of the streets of Berne have 
so odd and strange an appearance that nothing 
like it is seen elsewhere, even in Switzerland itself. 

Most of these streets are very broad. In the mid- 
dle of them, not far from each other, are public foun- 
tains, the water falling on all sides into a large basin, 
from the midst of which rises a high column. On 
these columns are placed the statues of celebrated 
people, both in the history of the country or the Old 
Testament. All is carved in stone. There are also 
bas-reliefs representing animals or flowers, some 
of which are colored. On many of these columns 
float painted banners. The houses are high and 
large, with salient roofs ; each window is a balcony 
adorned with an iron balustrade, more or less of 
artistic form. Back of the balustrade is a cushion. 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


14 

either brown, red, or green, and this place of rest is 
protected against the rain and sun by a little awn- 
ing of striped linen. 

What most astonishes strangers, is the coming 
and going of foot passengers under the arcades, 
which form a second street. Beneath the houses, on 
either side, the ground floor retreats, the stories 
are supported by massive columns forming these 
arcades, in the interior of which are the shops. 
The dwellings of the burghers are in the upper 
stories. 

As the inhabitants generally walk under the 
arcades even in fine weather, scarcely any one is 
seen in the streets, except those who go to the 
fountains for water, but beneath the galleries circu- 
late the moving multitude of active and laborious 
people. 

Herman and Max, disposed as they were to ad- 
miration and enthusiasm, stopped with astonishment 
before all the strange beauties which were spread 
before them in the Aarberg Gasse. 

On the balconies, in the midst of the flowers, a 
young girl was now and then to be seen, half seated, 
half reclining, breathing the air — for the weather 
was warm — then there were men, and finally on the 
upper stories workmen, who leaning against their 
cushions smoked a cigar or a pipe.. One could 
have imagined one’s self in the Orient. But what 
most attracted their attention was the coming and 
going about the fountains. Young girls with bare 
arms, singular costumes and charming movements, 


THE LOST GLOVE. 1 5 

recalled something Biblical, and made one remem- 
ber the history of Isaac and Rebecca. 

After expressing their surprise with joyful excla- 
mations, the young people followed their guide into 
the street they were in search of. Going along 
they stopped beside the fountains to examine more 
closely the sculptured basins, and the graceful 
young Swiss women. 

The porter stopped his cart on the left hand side 
of the street, pointed out a very small door under 
the half-darkened arcade, and informed the travelers 
that this was the abode of the person whose name 
they had given him. 

He took the trunk, carried it before the little 
door, and was about to ring, when it was opened. 
An aged woman stood before them, who said in 
pretty good French with a smile of great cordiality. 

“ This is Mr. Van Heuvel’s nephew, with his friend 
I have the honor to salute? You are welcome, 
gentlemen, and be so good as to follow me. I 
hope you will be as well satisfied as that good Mr. 
Van Heuvel.^' She walked to the extreme end of 
the vestibule, and stopped at the foot of a narrow 
stone staircase in the form of a corkscrew. This 
stairway was of white stone, very much worn away 
and cracked in many places. There was a very 
doubtful light that fell upon it, from a long narrow 
window resembling a loophole. 

As they ascended the friends exchanged a furtive 
glance. The uncle had recommended a strange 
stopping place to them, they thought. On the out- 


i6 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


side all was beautiful, and picturesque, and full of 
color as Paradise; while within, they with diffi- 
culty ascended the rickety steps of a stone stair- 
case, which would, no doubt, conduct them to 
some sombre and dilapidated building — some hall 
of the middle ages, or an old prison. 

Max Rapelings smiled sardonically at their disillu- 
sion. Herman Van Borgstal sighed heavily, but 
they continued to follow the old woman in silence, 
who conducted them across a long corridor on the 
first story, and finally opened the door of a large 
room. 

The young men gave an exclamation of delight 
‘‘Ah !” they cried. 

The old woman said to them, “ I knew it, gen- 
tlemen! the same thing happened to your uncle; 
he also went to crying ah / the thing is you do not 
understand the customs at Berne. In this house 
there are several families. What goes on below 
does not concern him who is above.** 

Max paid the porter ; Herman made the circuit 
of the room, and admired the luxury and elegance 
of the furniture. He found himself in a large 
apartment, the floor of which was covered with a 
heavy carpet ; all along the walls were chairs and 
sofas covered with velvet ; there were bureaus, dress- 
ing tables, and a bed, all of mahogany and most 
elegant in shape. Everything was extremely neat, 
and promised the occupants all imaginable comfort. 

After Herman had, with a quick glance, made the 
inspection of this charming apartment,*he lifted the 
curtain of one of the windows and cried out gayly. 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


17 


‘‘Ah ! how nice it is here. Max ! my dear Max, 
we are living in the beautiful street, we have bal- 
conies and cushions, and beneath our eyes a foun- 
tain with four jets of water.” 

“ Gentlemen, here is the room, too, your uncle 
had the use of ; his sleeping room was there, but as 
the room is somewhat small, we have placed a 
second bed for one of you in a corner of the larger 
apartment. You can choose.” 

“ That shall be mine ; I take the bed in the par- 
lor,” cried Herman. 

“ Make yourself comfortable,” replied the old 
woman ; ” here is the key of your apartment and the 
key of the housedoor. Now, go and come with the 
same freedom as if the house was yours. If you 
need anything, you have but to ring.” 

The young men, touched by so cordial a wel- 
come, thanked their hostess warmly. 

“Your uncle, in his letter, begged that my hus- 
band would take you to see the curiosities of the 
town,” she said, “ but unfortunately he has gone to 
Lausanne, where urgent business called him, and 
will only return at a late hour to-night. The walk 
will then have to be deferred until to-morrow.” 

When about leaving she turned around and 
said : ” I forget ; how is good Mr. Van Heuvel’s 
health.” 

“ Perfect, Madam ; and he begged us to give you 
his compliments,” replied Max. ” When he speaks 
of the Aarberg Gasse and your hospitable house, 
tears fill his eyes.” 

I* 


i8 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


I believe it/' she said, smiling ; Mr.Van Heuvel 
had not remained here more than two weeks before 
he conceived so lively a friendship for my husband 
that they spent days together walking about Berne 
and its environs. My husband even accompanied 
him across the Alps from Lauterbrunnen to the 
Grindelwald. Your uncle is a fine-spirited and 
amiable man." 

“ Madam, forgive my curiosity, but how did you 
make Mr. Van Heuvel’s acquaintance?" asked 
Herman. 

“ The thing was simple enough ; we lived a long 
while in Geneva, where we followed the trade of 
clockmakers. A clockmaker from Ghent often 
came to see us. In Switzerland friendship lasts a 
long while. This friend had given Mr.Van Heuvel 
a letter in which he begged us to welcome him 
kindly. At all events, gentlemen, we always rent 
this room to stranger tourists when well recom- 
mended. And, now, until bye and bye, when you 
may need something." 

Saying this, she left the apartment. 

Hardly had she gone out, when Max Rapelings 
gave a joyful bound, exclaiming, “ Long live Swit- 
zerland ! Our lines are fallen in pleasant places — 
lodged like princes, with people who have the hearts 
of angels." 

“Yes, yes," said Herman; “see, we are on the 
street and have a balcony." 

He opened the window and lay all his length on 
the cushions. 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


19 


‘‘ I am a Turk, a Sultan,*’ he said, listlessly. 

“Admit that my uncle is not a fool,” said Max. 

“ Oh ! he is a man of genius ! I bless him from 
the bottom of my soul ; had it not been for him we 
would be lodged in some hotel full of vulgar tour- 
ists, such as one meets everywhere. Hurrah for 
your uncle! I am going to light a fine Manilla, 
and try if you can to drag me from this cushion 
before the last puff of smoke has vanished into air.” 

“ Come now, my good Herman, no nonsense ; 
this long journey in the railway has covered us 
with dust up to our eyes. We must first cleanse 
ourselves, take clothes out of the trunk, and set 
ourselves to rights. Your hair looks like a nest of 
serpents. When this is done we can then arrange 
our plans.” 

“You are right Max; happiness bewilders me. I 
cannot tell why, perhaps it may be the mountain 
air w^hich begins to work upon me, but it seems to 
me my heart is bathed in joy.” 

With these words he approached the washstand, 
which was placed near the bed, and began to make 
his toilet. His friend did the like in the neighbor- 
ing room, and as the door was open, they could 
talk and jest at their ease. 

“Tell me, Herman, what made you in such a 
hurry to take the bed in the parlor ? 

“ Because there are no curtains — I prefer a bed 
without curtains.” 

“Hypocrite, it is because it was nearer the bal- 
cony.” 


20 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


You may be right, Max; it appears to me that 
I could remain seated there entire days, with eyes 
fastened on the bubbling waters of the fountain.’^ 

I think, sly one, you would gaze much seldomer 
on the fountain than on the Alpine flowers that 
bloom beside it ; that is your business, though. But 
what is the balcony to you, when you are in bed ? 
Do you desire by chance to spend the night 
star-gazing on that red cushion ? ” 

I might, if it were moonlight. The moon in 
Switzerland must be something beautiful. All is 
beauty and charm in Switzerland.*' 

“ It is finished,*’ exclaimed Max, “ here am I as 
fresh and well disposed as a fish in water. A pro- 
mise is binding : I engaged to write to my father 
and uncle on our arrival at Berne. To-day is my 
turn, and to-morrow will be yours. A letter each 
day — such is the law, and I am to see it executed. 
I will therefore acquit myself of the task at 
once, that I may be entirely free. As to you, Her- 
man, loll upon your balcony and smoke your cigar; 
without it you could not hold your tongue.** 

He seated himself at the table, where were all the 
appliances for writing, and began his letter. 

Herman lighted a cigar, and half reclined on the 
balcony. He began by watching the fountain for a 
long while, then allowed his eyes to wander the 
length of the balcony, and after taking in every 
object that struck him the most, he set himself to 
analyzing the details and examining with more 
minuteness the thousand and one objects of various 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


21 


colors that made this street resemble a town in 
Flanders in the season of the Kermes, or when some 
high dignitary made a joyful entry therein. 

Finally, half worn out, he turned upon his back, 
blew with an indescribable air the smoke from his 
cigar, and remained in this position with eyes up- 
lifted. His face expressed a sort of beatitude and 
ecstasy, caused by a feeling of perfect content. 
But he could not keep still long, and again turned 
in the direction of the street. Suddenly he gave a 
little cry of surprise. On the other side of the 
street, almost facing him, a young girl had just 
appeared upon the balcony amid the flowers and 
fresh verdure, and when Herman turned around, 
his gaze had encountered that of the young girl. 
There was something strange in the look in her 
eyes — a deep look which made the blood curdle 
in the young lawyer’s veins. 

Each regarded the other for some moments with 
astonishment; but almost immediately the young 
girl turned away and began reading a book, which 
she held in her hand. She was dressed entirely in 
black; her hair was very black and fell in heavy 
curls over her shoulders ; her eyes, also black, glis- 
tened like beads of jet; but her face was pale, and 
stood out in relief from all this black like the face 
of a marble statue. Yet, in spite of this pallor, she 
was really charming ; at least, this was the impres- 
sion produced upon Herman. 

Therefore the young man kept his eyes fastened 
on her like one stupefied. He could scarcely take 


22 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


breath, so much had he been struck with this 
strange and wonderful beauty. 

The young girl, probably thinking that he no 
longer observed her, lifted up her eyes and placed 
them, as if through pure curiosity, on the young 
man, whose face betrayed profound admiration. 
She looked up to heaven, then once more bent her 
head over her book. 

Herman knew not what to think. It seemed to 
him as if from those beautiful black eyes a plaint 
both painful and despairing had gone forth to God. 
His heart shuddered with pity at the thought that 
the poor girl might be the victim of some cruel dis- 
ease or other misfortune. To be so young, so 
beautiful, and suffer like a martyr, had dulled his joy. 

‘‘ Herman,** cried Max, come here. I want to 
read you what I have written about Aarberg Gasse. 
He is not listening, the dreamer! The fountain 
must have bewitched him. Herman, Herman, 
Herman ! Has he gone to sleep again ?** 

As he said these words in a loud voice, he ap- 
proached the balcony. 

“What! you are awake? You must then have 
become as deaf as a beetle.** 

Herman placed his finger over his lips to conjure 
his friend to silence. 

“Well, what is it? You seem to be playing a 
part in a drama. What is happening ?** 

“ Come and sit down, Max, and speak low. Do 
you see over there among the flowers on the other 
side of the street that young lady ?** 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


23 


‘‘ Poor girl ! she is ill,” muttered Max. 

‘‘ May be so ; but what a face ! Would Raphael 
even have dreamed of a sweeter and nobler crea- 
ture?” 

‘‘ I know nothing about it, my dear Herman ; but 
what I do know is, that she did not come too late 
when pretty faces were given away. That pure 
white in contrast with the dead black produces a 
singular effect ; on my word as a doctor, she is ill : 
do not doubt it.” 

The young girl once more raised her eyes, and 
fixed them straight on Herman, and at the same 
moment perceived his friend. 

She regards you with strange attention,” said 
Max, astonished. 

‘‘ Do you think so ? ” 

Her eyes sought you, this is certain.” 

‘‘ She looked at you too.” 

"‘Yes, afterwards. Is any one as ugly as I 
worth looking at ? ” 

“ See, Max, she lifts her sorrowful eyes again to 
heaven, and heaves a deep sigh — it is a sigh of 
pain, a prayer to God to obtain aid and pity. Ah ! 
it breaks my heart, she is so young ! ” 

“Yes, it is a terrible scourge, this fatal disease 
which gathers in its harvests among the most beau- 
tiful and tender flowers, even before they have fully 
blown. Poor child, perhaps a year, or only a few 
months maybe ! ” 

“No, Max, you are mistaken: she is suffering 
from some heart trouble.” 


24 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


Do you then know her?'' 

At this moment there appeared on the balcony, 
back of the pale young girl, a tall man with gray 
hair, white whiskers, and forbidding face. 

As soon as he saw the young men he darted to- 
wards them a glance of defiance, which expressed 
everything but good-will; then leaning down, whis- 
pered in the girl's ear some order that must have 
been severe, for she rose once more, looked up to 
heaven while sighing, and disappeared from the 
balcony. 

The old man closed the window with some force, 
at least so thought the indignant young men. 

‘‘Well, do you think I am mistaken?" asked 
Herman. “Are you not convinced as well as I that 
this poor creature is succumbing to cruel tyranny ? 
Ah ! what wicked people there are in the world ! 
How is it possible Divine Justice permits that im- 
placable old man to make this tender flower die of 
sorrow ?" 

“ But for the love of Heaven, my dreamer poet, 
whither are your thoughts carrying you ? Here 
you are developing an entire drama in imagination. 
A young girl oppressed, an enchanter, a giant, a 
dragon with seven heads, and I know not what! 
The only thing wanting is a knight, the paladin 
who is to deliver the captive virgin. Would you, 
perhaps, like to play this part ?" 

“ What I say is true, Max ; all your jokes cannot 
convince me I am mistaken." 

“ But, I ask you again, do you know her?" 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


25 


‘‘ How should I know her ? She is a Swiss.” 

“You cannot tell any more about that than I. 
At Berne the good burghers wear the same costume 
as people who are well off all over the world.” 

“Yes, Max; but her hair, as black as a crow's, 
and her eyes, too, so black and brilliant ?” 

“ Those are found everywhere. They appear as 
rare in Switzerland as with us. If you said she 
was an Italian, a Spaniard, or a Provengale, I should 
be more apt to think you had guessed rightly.” 

“ So be it. Max ; whether Italian or English, it 
is sad to think that this poor child is condemned to 
die so young — for she will die, I seem to see the 
mark of death in her eyes.” 

“ She is not the only one, Herman ; there are 
many who die of this fatal malady all over the 
world.” 

“ These doctors, these doctors !” cried Herman, 
with a shade of feeling; “by dint of sounding 
human suffering, they are entirely without compas- 
sion. Can you behold that unfortunate young girl 
without your heart shuddering with pity and indig- 
nation ? ” 

“ But what has happened to you, my dear Her- 
man ? ” asked the young doctor, dumfounded. “ I 
pity all the unhappy, as well as this pale young 
girl, though I do not know who she is or what 
makes her ill. But, in Heaven’s name, how can 
we help it ? The people opposite are strangers to 
us, and their business does not concern us. Come, 
come, all this is childishness ; wc did not journey 


26 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


into Switzerland to weep over unhappy strangers. 
I shall go and seal my letter quickly, that it may 
be taken to the post.*’ 

Herman, who had become excited by his own 
words and his sad forebodings, could not take his 
eyes off the balcony adorned with flowers. It 
seemed to him that the curtains moved, and some 
one watched furtively to be certain that he still kept 
his post of observation. Was it the young girl, or 
the crabbed old man, who thus spied upon him ? 

While he endeavored to penetrate the mystery 
by observing more closely through the window- 
glass, the bell resounded with great noise in the 
apartment. 

“ Why, Max, have you lost your senses ?” he 
cried. “ What are you doing ?” 

‘‘ I am ringing that some one may come and take 
my letter to the post. If that bell is a clock, it 
isn’t my fault.” 

Scarcely had he finished his sentence when the 
mistress of the house entered. 

“ Excuse me, madam,” said Max, ** if I troubled 
you involuntarily. My intention was to call a ser- 
vant, that I might send him to post my letter.” 

‘‘Give it to me, give it to me,” said the good 
woman, smiling. “There is no servant here. I 
have no children. Swiss women, even of the upper 
classes, do not hesitate to do their own work.” 

She was going out with the letter, but Herman 
left the balcony and went up to her, saying : 

“ Madam, I beg you will allow me to ask you 
some questions.” 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


27 


** I am entirely at your service, sir. A moment 
will suffice for me to give this letter to a porter, 
when I will return.” 

‘‘What are you going to ask her? Questions 
about the pale-faced girl over the way ?” growled 
Max. 

“Are you not, like myself, anxious to know 
something about her ?” 

“ Certainly. But what good will it do us ? If 
you are a lover of mysteries, do not raise the veil. 
Our hostess* relation will cause to vanish all your 
magnificent castle, with winged dragon and captive 
princess, and nothing will remain but an unhappy 
girl, who is suffering with a lingering disease.’* 

“ We will see. Here comes our hostess. Maybe 
you are right; but no matter, the mystery unsettles 
my mind.** 

“ You want to ask me questions about visiting 
the town ?** she said. “ I beg, gentlemen, you will 
wait until to-morrow, or my husband will be sorely 
disappointed.** 

“ It is not for this, madam, that I was about to 
trespass upon your kindness,** said Herman, “ I saw 
there on the opposite balcony a young girl who ap- 
peared suffering and ill — does she belong to the 
country?** 

“No, sir; the gentleman and lady of whom you 
speak are strangers, travelers like yourselves,** re- 
plied the hostess, with a certain air of mystery, 

“ From what country are they ?** 

“ I do not positively know, sir ; they rented the 


28 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


opposite apartment for a month, and they have 
already been two weeks in Berne. Occasionally 
they are absent for several days, but where they go 
is what I cannot tell you.'* 

“ Pardon me, madam," remarked Max, smiling, 
** it seems to me very simple. They make excur- 
sions in the environs or in the mountains." 

“ This is probable, sir ; but at any rate they never 
mention the matter to their hostess. It must be 
supposed they have some reason for being reserved 
and mysterious." 

“ And have you no suspicion of the cause, 
madam ?" asked Herman, with great seriousness. 

‘‘ Yes, and no; but it does not concern me — but 
my opposite neighbor once spoke to me of the old 
gentleman and the pale young lady in such terms 
as to awaken my pity." 

‘‘ Your pity, madam." 

‘‘Yes sir — the young girl appears very unhappy; 
her movements are slow, her look plaintive and 
languishing; she often sighs, and my neighbor one 
day discovered her weeping bitterly." 

Max, who in the meantime had approached the 
balcony, turned round exclaiming : 

“ See, see ! the tyrant is there in the street ; he is 
walking with his victim on his arm." 

They all went to the window and looked into the 
street. Herman fancied the young girl inclined her 
head upon her breast as though disheartened, and 
allowed herself to be carried along, stumbling at 
every step. 


THE LOST GLOVE. 2g 

‘'Then, madam, you do not know who they are, 
or from what country they come?’' 

“ My neighbor tried to find out, but the old gen- 
tleman gave her to understand that these questions 
were disagreeable to him. They speak French 
very well, but when they converse with each other 
they mutter in unintelligible terms, words in a 
strange tongue. According to the neighbor, the 
old gentleman is a Russian.” 

“Ah! the devil — a Russian!” exclaimed the 
young doctor, pressing his lips together in a mock- 
ing way. 

“ I beg. Max, you will not make jest of serious 
matters,” muttered Herman. 

And turning towards the hostess, he asked : 

“ And have you no reason for thinking the old 
gentleman ill-treats the young girl ?” 

“ No : on the contrary, whenever he speaks to her, 
it is with the greatest mildness and gentleness ; it is 
this that inspires my friend with bad thoughts ; but it 
is true, she is something of a pessimist.” 

“ But what are these thoughts, madam ?” 

“ What she thinks has probably no foundation. 
She fancies the old man wishes to marry the young 
girl.” 

“ How infamous !” exclaimed Herman. 

“Yes sir, but it is only a mere supposition.” 

“ Has your neighbor then never spoken to the 
young woman ? ” 

“ She is never alone, not a moment even ; the old 
man is ever at her side. She sleeps in a room which, 


30 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


like yours, opens into the one where the old man’s 
bed is placed. No one, therefore, can approach 
her.” 

“On pain of being snapped at by the dragon 
with seven heads ! ” muttered Max. 

“ What a frightful story!” sighed Herman. 

“ There may not be a word of truth in all this,” 
continued the hostess. “It may be only an un- 
happy father traveling with his daughter in 
Switzerland, in hopes that the pure mountain air 
will restore her.” 

“ Please God it may be so 1 ” 

“ Yes, my dear Herman ; but enough of these 
bugbear stories,” added Max. “As to me, I am 
hungry, I want to take a bite of something. We 
would be very much obliged to madame if she 
would recommend a restaurant, as well as some 
spot where we may enjoy the Alps to-night, if 
the sky be clear.” 

“ Nothing easier, gentlemen. At the end of the 
street there is a road leading to the Aar ; there you 
will find a bridge, and on the other side of it a path 
which leads up to the Schanzli, You may there 
obtain all you desire, and take supper, having the 
Alps and all the city before you. There are many 
other places of the same sort, but my husband 
would not be satisfied if you were to go about town 
without him.” 

“ We are obliged to you, madame, and will visit 
the SchdfizUy 

A few moments later they came down stairs. 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


31 


At the door the hostess called a neighbor, who 
seemed quite willing to show the young strangers 
the way. They followed their guide to the end of 
the street, across the square of the orphanage. He 
then pointed out a road leading to the river, and 
beyond this a path which ascended to the top of the 
mountain, finally reaching a pretty building, which 
was the Schdnzli. 

Hardly had the guide turned his back, when 
Max burst out laughing, and said with an air of 
ironical pity. 

Poor Herman ! poor poet ! all his castle of 
cards has tumbled over/* 

‘‘ What do you mean ? ** 

‘‘ Come now, has anything ever been seen like it ? 
A mediaeval drama concluding with a Russian ! It 
is most material, most vulgar — it is death to poetry !” 

Russian or not, the poor child is much to be 
pitied ; and if the Russian were only a Fleming from 
eastern Flanders, I do not say I would not do 
something to thwart his barbarous plans.** 

They continued to talk upon the same subject 
until they reached the bridge. Then Max struck 
with his foot, feigning anger, and exclaimed : 

“What envious demon permitted this languish- 
ing creature to cross our path and poison our pleas- 
ure, or, at least, mar it ? We no longer have eyes 
with which to contemplate nature. Here we have 
come down a hundred feet, we have before us 
a charming landscape, and have noticed nothing. 
If I had not called your attention, we would have 


32 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


crossed the Aar without your deigning to cast your 
eyes upon its blue waters with tints of opal. If you 
are going to remain so absorbed and inattentive as 
this during all the journey, you will be an agreeable 
traveling companion! How well you will be able 
to recount what you saw in Switzerland! Now, 
pray don’t let there be any more clouds in our sky! 
It will be time enough when we go back to weep 
over people’s misfortunes.” 

‘‘ You are right, my good Max,” said the young 
lawyer. “ My imagination has had its flight im- 
pelled by a feeling of commiseration ; but you know 
how quickly I become excited. It is a passing 
emotion ; to-morrow, it will all be over. What 
say I ? In a quarter of an hour, you will see me 
gay and happy as before. Hurrah for Switzerland! 
Switzerland, only ! ” 

‘‘ Bravo ! this is as it should be,” said Max. 
** During this month of September we have only 
eyes to admire the beauties of nature, and hearts 
but to enjoy God’s masterpieces. This path is 
somewhat rough ; it does not lend itself easily to 
conversation.” 

** You are already beginning to pant like a seal; 
what will it be when we climb the — the Faulhorn ? 
According to your uncle, this mountain is eight 
hundred feet high. Is the Schanzli really three 
hundred feet above — above the Aar? I know 
nothing about it.” 

‘‘You are blowing yourself like a locomotive,” 
replied Max, as he continued to mount. “ We are 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


33 


not accustomed yet ; blowing is nothing, provided 
we advance. Tell me, Herman, did you observe, in 
looking at the names on the map, what soft endings 
the Swiss use for their diminutives ?” 

“Yes; the word Schdnzli only means little 
SchdnZy that is, little fort. There must once have 
been a fortification there — a rampart ; maybe there 
is one still. So the Swiss say manli^ frauliy kindliy 
bhimliy as the Flemish might say manlyny vroulyUy 
kindlyny bloemlyny maagdelyn — little man, little 
woman, little child, little flower, little maiden. — Oh ! 
let us hold our tongues.^* 

“Yes; until we reach the top.** 

“ Why in the world. Max, do you climb so rap- 
idly? One would suppose you were taking some 
fort by assault.** 

“ I don*t know why, but it seems a great pleasure 
to me to tire myself out in this way for a little 
while.** 

“ I am perspiring from it.** 

Thus engaged in desultory conversation, they 
found themselves at the foot of a pair of stone steps, 
and having mounted them, reached the terrace on 
which rose the Schdnzli, 

It was a large building surrounded by trees, be- 
neath which were spread long rows of chairs and 
tables. On the side of the terrace adjoining the 
mountain a hand-rail in iron had been constructed. 
The two Flemings saw about fifty men and women 
— travelers like themselves, probably — who, assem- 
bled in little groups, were scattered about the tables 


34 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


under the trees with their eyes directed towards the 
Alps. Max, who wished to select a favorable spot, 
walked a few steps in advance of his friend ; he sud- 
denly stopped, turned and put his finger on his lips, 
smiling, with a look of mystery and roguishness. 

*‘Hush! be silent!’' he muttered, taking the 
young lawyer by the arm, as if to make him turn 
around. ‘‘ Fly, unhappy one ; the devil is spread- 
ing another snare for us.” 

** I beg you will not make us appear ridiculous,” 
said Herman, who approached the table. 

** But she is over there against the building, with 
her tyrant.” 

** I know it Max. Behave yourself.” 

** Oh I you had already seen her then ? Observe, 
she is looking at you, too. What secret warning 
of your presence did she receive? It seems like 
magnetism. In truth this pale young girl must be 
an excellent subject If one could only make ex- 
periments with her on the power of second sight.” 

“You are talking nonsense,” said Herman, pro- 
voked. “ Keep quiet, the poor girl will think we are 
laughing at her.” 

“ Very well. At all events, I am as hungry as a 
wolf, and need to comfort the inner man with some- 
thing more substantial than languishing looks. I 
am going to look after the supper.” 

Saying which, he walked towards the house. Her- 
man kept his eyes fastened on the young girl. She 
also looked at him very fixedly, and seemed to wish 
to ask him why he observed her so. Yet her face 


THE LOST GLOVE. 35 

remained immovable and expressed only curiosity 
and astonishment. 

The young lawyer seemed to observe just then 
that the old man whom he regarded as a tyrant was 
bending in his turn under the weight of some heavy 
grief, for he was seated near the young girl, his 
head in his hands, looking fixedly on the ground. 
Did he by chance weep that he was not able to 
break his victim’s will otherwise than by making 
her die of grief? 

“ Hurrah ! here I am with bag and baggage,” 
cried Max, in a voice sufficiently loud to be heard 
by the young girl, as followed by three attendants, 
he hurried towards his friend. 

But this noise had awakened the old man from 
his sad reverie. He rose and cast a look of reproach 
on Herman, whose appearance at the Schdnzli an- 
noyed and disconcerted him. 

The young people observed he said something in 
a low voice to his companion, who also left her 
seat ; and they both went away, no doubt to return 
to town by the opposite direction. 

On leaving, the young girl had cast a last look 
towards Herman, and the latter fancied that in the 
look there was a sorrowful complaint or an appeal 
to his compassion. 

‘‘Soulless old man! executioner!” he muttered 
between his teeth. 

“ God be thanked, they have left,” said Max ; 
“ otherwise their presence would have spoiled our 
supper, at least yours. As to myself, I do not 


36 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


know the effect of mountain air, but feel as if I 
could devour an ox.’^ 

During this time they were being waited upon. 

“ To sup in this way out of doors, on a mountain, 
with the town at one’s feet, and the snowy Alps be- 
fore one’s eyes, is a pleasure for a king,” said Max. 

‘‘ It is certainly much more poetical than all the pale 
faces, and all the tyrants on earth ! I have com- 
manded a real Balshazzar’s feast. I had ordered 
some chamois, but unluckily chamois is wanting to 
the bill of fare of the Schdnzli. 

‘‘ I do not know its name in Flemish. The French 
call it chamois, and the Germans gemes. It is the 
Alpine deer. I want to taste it before leaving 
Switzerland, even if its flesh is worth a hundred 
francs a pound. And you Herman, are you not 
interested also in natural history, when it may be 
studied with the teeth ? ” 

‘‘ We will find chamois meat in the mountains,” 
replied Herman, pensively. 

“ Come ! do you again behold the pale maiden ? ” 
asked the young doctor laughing. '‘You are as 
dreamy and pensive as a student in chambers, when 
he finds examination day approaching, and the 
prospect of failure staring him in the face. Let us 
sit down, to begin with ; here is a fillet of beef with 
mushrooms, which makes my mouth water.” | 

" Yes, let us eat,” said Herman. " I had forgot- j 
ten about it, but I too feel as hungry as a wolf.’' [ 

" Hurrah ! The magic bondage is removed — the || 
stomach carries the day.” 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


37 


They began eating their supper with zest, a 
menu prepared most artistically, and drank some 
glasses of good wine. 

They only exchanged the following words : 

It seems to me said Max, “ that for a paladin 
or knight-errant, you play a pretty good knife and 
fork. I am obliged to be in a hurry, else you will 
only leave me the bones.'' 

She must have reached home by this time,'' 
muttered Herman. 

‘‘ What ! Are you going to begin again to talk 
it all over ? " 

‘‘ It is you who make me think of it; with your 
paladin. Let us speak of it no more : I ask nothing 
better." 

Is that truly so ? " 

** Of course — I pity her, and this pity is deep. 
It is a sentiment that troubles my mind. I would 
therefore much prefer not thinking about it at all." 

‘‘ Well let us enter into a treaty — the first who 
speaks of her will have to pay for a bottle of wine." 

'‘Agreed." 

They heard talking behind them. It was a 
French family, who had approached the hand-rail, 
and were viewing the Alps ; a gentleman, probably 
a citizen of Berne, was explaining to them, in a loud 
voice, their surroundings. 

Our friends turned round, each lighted a cigar, 
and listened to the explanations of the obliging 
cicerone. 

“The weather is not very favorable," he said, 


38 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


‘‘ but now that night is coming on, the vapors will 
sink lower down ; at present we only see a portion 
of the Alps and of the Bernese Oberland.” 

‘‘But those are clouds, sir,’^ interrupted a little 
girl — “ transparent clouds — it seems to me I can see 
across them.'’ 

“Your eyes deceive you, my child,’’ replied the 
burgher; “all the mountains you see over there 
towards the horizon, rising out of the gloomy fog, 
have been, since the world began, covered with eter- 
nal snow. The suns throws down its rays on this 
white surface, which sends them back again, and 
penetrating into the depths and crevices, produces 
the illusion which makes you think the crest of 
snow is transparent.’’ 

“ One would suppose, sir, these mountains were 
not very far from the town,’’ said another little girl, 
“and papa tells me they are several leagues off.” 

“ Fifteen or twenty leagues, and even more.” 

“ This is extraordinary,” exclaimed a youth ; “ it 
seems to me, if my arm was long enough, I could 
place my hand on the highest mountain.” 

“ Fi ! Alberic,” said an old lady, “ what you are 
talking about now is extremely stupid.” 

“ See,” said the citizen, “ there towards the left is 
the Wetterhorn ; it is further than the Grindelwald, 
and its height is eleven thousand four hundred feet ; 
then there is the Schreckhorn^ whose height is 
twelve thousand feet; then the Eiger ^ and the 
Monck (the monk), and the Jungfrau, This last 
is the whitest of all the mountains, and highest.” 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


39 


‘'Which is the highest, sir?’* asked a young girl. 

“ Don’t you see over there, a little to the left, that 
white peak, very pointed, and almost imperceptible ? 
That is the Finster aarhortiy the highest of the gla- 
ciers that intercepts the horizon. It measures thir- 
teen thousand one hundred and sixty feet above the 
level of the sea.” 

“But it seems, on the contrary, the smallest,” 
said the youth. 

“ That is because of the great distance, my child,” 
replied the other. 

Max Rapelings nudged his companion, and 
pointed downward, very far beneath them. 

“ Well, what is the matter,” asked Herman. “ I 
see nothing.” 

“ Beyond the Aar, near the bridge — ” 

“ What?” 

“ The pale maiden, with her tyrant.” 

“ Ah ! you owe me a bottle of wine. How can 
you recognize people so far away ? — daylight is de- 
clining.” 

“ I was only joking.” 

“ No matter, you will have to pay for the wine.” 

“ Very well ; but I shall have my revenge, which 
won’t be long coming.” 

“ Mamma, let us go over there and sit at that 
table,” said one of the young girls, “shall we ? The 
sun is going to set. We can see it as well sitting 
as standing.” 

The French family, seeing the child was right, 
went off and took their places at a table not far 
away. 


40 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


The two friends, while drinking a cup of coffee 
and smoking their cigars, contemplated the summit 
of the Alps and mutually exchanged opinions sug- 
gested by this magnificent spectacle. 

During the day these summits had appeared to 
them like crests of vivid white, colored here and 
there with tints of pale green and blue. Now, as 
the sun sunk lower and lower towards the west, it 
bathed them with lights of yellow and red, which 
increased in depth of color and brightness in pro- 
portion, as darkness fell upon the valleys below. It 
is a spectacle no pen can describe. The snow 
mountains seem to lift themselves up to Heaven, 
and to be quickened with living and changing color, 
penetrating to their very centre. These antedilu- 
vian giants have neither bodies nor weight. They 
seem to have become all vapor, something magical, 
shifting and uncertain, like the dream of a poet. 
For more than an hour the young men had followed 
this phenomenon of nature, until it faded away by 
degrees, and then was utterly lost to sight. 

Yet they still remained seated, having read in 
their Baedeker that even then all was not over, and 
the strange appearance which the Swiss call Alp- 
gliiken (the Alpine fire) was still to be expected. 

'' See Herman, how dark it is down there ! The 
lanterns on the bridge look like little glow-worms, 
creeping on the margin of the Aar. Are you 
asleep ? I know well what you are thinking 
about ? 

“ That is impossible.** 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


41 


** You are thinking of the pale maiden.” 

“The second bottle of wine!” cried Herman, tri- 
umphantly. 

“ I am caught, that is true ; but do you dare say 
you were not thinking of her ?” 

“ Well done! — there go three ; keep on.” 

“ What then were you thinking of, to be dream- 
ing away in this manner, with your eyes fixed on 
space ?” 

“You must know. Max, that when I was still 
quite a child, I once saw a large picture representing 
Olympus, the pagan heavens, with Jupiter, Apollo, 
Bacchus, Juno, Diana, Ceres and all the remainder 
of the gods and goddesses, seated on light clouds of 
golden yellow, which were receiving light from them- 
selves. That part of the picture astonishingly re- 
sembles the glaciers under the setting sun. Well, I 
was about to assign a place on the Alps to Jupiter 
and to each one of his fellow gods and goddesses, 
and was re-designing on a much larger canvas the 
picture that had so struck me in my youth.” 

“Pay attention, the Alpine fire is beginning.” 
And it was truly so. At the foot of the Alps, one 
could perceive a feeble red light; by degrees this 
light ascended and became stronger, then was trans- 
formed into a glow of living coals, as if the world 
were on fire. This phenomenon causes each glacier 
to resemble a volcano in eruption, which has be- 
come transparent through fire, in the interior of 
which one seems to see the lava boiling, for the fire 
is not only without, but sparkles and shines down to 
the very foot of the old rocks. 


42 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


No painter, no poet, can place upon the canvas 
or produce upon paper the splendor of this prodigy 
of nature. It overwhelms and confounds the spec- 
tator, making him acknowledge the power of God 
and the greatness of His works. He feels so small, 
so mean, that this sentiment of the powerlessness 
of his being mingles something of pain, something 
of humiliation, with the happiness of having been 
able to contemplate such a spectacle, at least once 
in a lifetime. 

The friends remained a long while silent, as also 
did the rest who were viewing the Alps from the 
Schanzli; they stood motionless, occasionally only 
allowing a stifled cry of admiration to escape them, 
as if this touching spectacle had caused each one to 
breathe a prayer of thankfulness. 

Finally, the fire-light on the Alps was extin- 
guished by degrees, and tourists and strollers went 
down from the Schanzli^ that they might obtain 
from sleep new forces for climbing and new facul- 
ties for admiration. 

Herman Van Borgstal and Max Rapelings did 
the same. They followed the crowd, who were 
making their descent by the shortest cut towards 
the Aar, and a little while after they reached the 
Aarberg Gasse. 

There, it was quite dark, and the friends gazed 
around the sombre gallery — in vain ; they were un- 
able to distinguish beneath which arcade they were 
to look for the little door of their lodging. 

‘‘ At last ! I have found it ! ” said Max, ‘‘ here is 


THE LOST GLOVE. 43 

the pale maiden’s balcony, and drawing a some- 
what oblique line” — 

“Ahem! there goes the fourth bottle,” cried 
Herman. 

“ Yes ; but the treaty is at an end for the future,” 
said Max ; “ otherwise I should pay for the wine 
during the entire trip. You may talk of the maiden 
pale as much as you please ; I don’t care.” 

“ She sleeps, poor child I ” sighed Herman. 

“That’s a good joke. What else would you have 
her do; I wish I could do the same. Oh! the 
jolting in the railway and the long hours spent in 
stretching open my eyes to see have completely ex- 
hausted me — I am ground down ; what about your- 
self, Herman?” 

“ I haven’t the slightest wish to sleep. Olym- 
pus, with its gods and goddesses, is always staring 
me out of countenance.” 

“ Here is our door ; let me have the key.” 

They entered the vestibule, and found the lighted 
lamp on the stairs, as their hostess had said they 
should. 

Having reached his room, Herman opened the 
window and stretched himself out on the balcony, 
as if with the intention of spending the night there. 

“ Will you be good enough to close the window 
at once,” called out Max to him. 

“ Oh ! it is so cool and pleasant here ! ” replied 
his friend. 

“ Cool ! yes, entirely too cool. I felt up on the 
Schanzli that the mountain air becomes at night 


44 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


cold enough to freeze one. Your mother charged 
me to watch over your health. I am a physician ; 
you shall not give yourself the pleurisy. Quick, to 
bed ; if you do not feel sleepy, at least, for the love 
of Heaven, have pity upon me.’' 

Herman left the balcony and closed the window. 

‘‘You sometimes become troublesome,” he mut- 
tered ; ‘‘ but I do not wish you to sacrifice your 
peace of mind to your fears for my health. At any 
rate, the air is cold. Good-night, Max.” 

Until to-morrow, then, and do not let your 
dreams be of the pale maiden.” 

“ Good, that makes five bottles.” 

** The treaty was broken — sleep well.” 

The lamp was put out, and some few minutes 
after our two Flemings were sleeping as if never 
more to awaken. 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


45 


CHAPTER III. 

The next day at a very early hour, Herman had 
already seated himself on the balcony, while his 
friend was still snoring manfully. 

The young lawyer, whose slumbers had no doubt 
been disturbed after the first nap by somewhat sad 
dreams, had risen noiselessly, and placed himself 
upon the balcony in spite of the coolness of the at- 
mosphere. 

He had been there about a couple of hours think- 
ing, and smoking, noting the coming and going 
around the fountain, and casting a glance from time 
to time towards the flower-decked balcony. 

Behind that closed window, behind those heavy 
curtains was being enacted, he thought, a frightful 
drama; a drama surrounded by the darkest mys- 
tery and the silence of death which was destined to 
consign the poor victim to her grave, without any 
one here below knowing or deploring her sufferings. 
How many terrible things are thus accomplished in 
the bosom of families, and remain hidden forever in 
impenetrable secresy. 

Herman’s heart was young and tender. His 
good sense sometimes whispered that all this ex- 
isted in his own imagination. The old man might 
be the young girl’s father as their hostess had said, 
but Herman was a poet, at least in temperament, 


46 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


and since he had begun to be so filled with com- 
miseration he could no longer banish the young 
girl from his mind, and was almost ready to shed 
tears about her sorrowful fate. 

It was during one of these moments of tender- 
ness, that he saw the window slowly open. The 
young girl appeared upon the balcony, and at once 
turned her eyes upon him. She expected him it 
seemed, or else had seen him through the curtain. 

However, her face remained calm and impassive, 
and she seated herself on the cushion, her eyes 
fastened upon her book, which she had been read- 
ing or feigned to read the day before. 

Herman contemplated her, while his heart beat 
violently and tried to penetrate to the bottom of her 
soul with his searching look, that he might fathom 
her pain and hear her moan. 

She appeared more beautiful than the day before, 
her pallor did not seem so entire, a rose tint which 
resembled the tenderest of blush roses hovered. about 
her cheeks. 

She remained seated in an almost motionless atti- 
tude. At long intervals she raised her eyes to 
Heaven, and cast a furtive glance towards Herman, 
no doubt only to see if he were still there. 

He also maintained the indifferent pose of a new 
spectator that chance alone had brought to the 
window. He felt deep respect for the poor invalid, 
and feared to be guilty towards her of indiscretion 
or want of politeness. 

In truth all these surmises about the oppression 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


47 


under which she languished, might be without 
foundation. And what right had he to meddle 
with the destiny of this young stranger girl, who 
had perhaps come from the very heart of Russia, 
with the sole idea of seeking under warmer skies 
some relief from her cruel malady. 

While thus dreaming and reflecting he remained 
seated on the balcony a long while, casting now and 
again a furtive glance in the direction of the young 
stranger. 

It might have been about eight or nine o’clock in 
the morning. 

The sleeping-room door opened cautiously, and 
Max Rapelings all dressed entered as steathily as a 
cat, thinking to find his friend still in bed, but gave 
a cry of disappointment on finding the bed empty 
and Herman also dressed, seated on the balcony. 

** Ah traitor,” he cried, you would have allowed 
me to sleep all the morning. She is there, per- 
haps ? ” 

Herman made an affirmative sign. The young 
physician incited by curiosity approached the bal- 
cony, and seated himself on the cushion beside his 
friend.” 

‘‘ Come now, tell me what is happening ? ” he 
said. “ How long have you been seated here ? ” 

‘‘ I don’t know ; about two hours.” 

“ Did she send you a message to let you know 
she would appear at so early an hour as this at the 
window?” 

‘‘ No, Max ; but since the first light of day pene- 


48 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


trated into this apartment I have not been able to 
close my eyes, and therefore rose.” 

‘‘ My experience was the reverse. I slept like a 
top, and, even now, am obliged to rub my eyes to 
keep them open. A grave and sad thought terri- 
fies me.” 

‘‘ Nonsense ! and it is — ?” 

I wondered, if last night on the Schanzli you 
did not put some drops of opium or other narcotic 
into my glass, that you might develop your fright- 
ful drama at ease without being disturbed.” 

‘‘Come, my friend, put aside for a little while 
these insipid jokes,” said Herman, “and don’t laugh 
so loud. There, she has heard you and is going ; 
now she thinks we are laughing at her. She is 
gone ! what will she think of us ? It is well to be 
gay and joke among ourselves, but, at least, we 
may be polite, as behooves people of education.” 

“ But, my dear Herman, are you blind, or has the 
young girl completely addled your brain? Did 
you not remark that she turned her head suddenly, 
as if to listen to some noise within the apartment ? 

It was her tyrant whom she heard coming, or who 
no doubt spoke to her. What now ? Some one is 
knocking at the door of the apartment. She is, | 
perhaps, come to return the visit. All is possible j 
in Switzerland, since you, who are a hardened r 
sleeper — ” 

Herman had rushed to the door, and opened it. , 
He who entered the room with a bright smile was i 
the master of the house, a man no longer young, 
though well-preserved. 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


49 


"Young gentlemen,” he said, in German, " per- 
mit me to shake you by the hand. You are the 
nephew and friend of good Mr. Van Heuvel. I can- 
not tell you how happy I am to be able to fulfil 
his wishes. I should have presented myself earlier, 
but the people of the flat countries are more easily 
fatigued than the Swiss. If you are ready, gentle- 
men, you will do me the honor to breakfast with me 
immediately at the Schweizer-hof — after which I 
will do my best to show you what is worth seeing 
in our town of Berne.” 

The young men thanked their host warmly for 
his kindness, and said they were quite ready to fol- 
low him. 

He conducted them, to the vicinity of the railway 
station, to a magnificent hotel, where he ordered a 
delicious breakfast. 

The man seemed well-informed, and a passionate 
lover of his country. He began at once his mis- 
sion of guide and cicerone, and the two young 
Flemings listened to him with lively interest. As 
they walked along they met soldiers with their 
arms, who appeared to be coming from the station, 
and were astonished to see some of these soldiers 
accompanied by young girls, and even quite re- 
fined-looking girls, who appeared to be their sisters. 

The citizen gave them the following explanation : 

‘ Properly speaking, there are no soldiers in 
Switzerland, as this is understood in most of the 
countries of Europe, and yet every one is a soldier. 
Those young men you saw pass in the street with 
2 * 


50 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


their arms, belong to the upper class, and arc from 
twenty to thirty-four years of age. They are called 
together every year for some weeks to perfect them - 
selves in the military services, and are now just re- 
turning from these exercises. The second class are 
the reserves, from thirty-four to forty years ; then 
comes the landwehr, to which all the Swiss belong 
until the age of forty-four years. Our country is 
but half the size of Belgium with regard to popu- 
lation, and yet with the first cry of alarm we could 
furnish nearly two hundred thousand men. Such 
an army, entirely composed of sharpshooters, is not 
to be disdained. God formed the Alps, gentlemen, 
to be the eternal bulwark of liberty in Europe. 
Powerful nations have often seemed to menace the 
independence of our noffensive republic. Let them 
come ! The Swiss Lion will show them that brute 
force is nothing against the right ; and then our old 
Mutz will make the assailants of Switzerland feel 
his heroic claws, as he has already done more than 
once.’' 

“Old Mutz? — what do you mean by that, sir?” 
asked Herman, who had listened with interest to 
the words of the proud citizen. 

“You will soon find it out yourself,” he replied. 
“All about in Berne — on the fountains, on the 
monuments — you will see the figure of a bear in 
every position. This bear, which forms the arms 
of Berne, is for us the symbol of liberty ; the peo- 
ple have personified this symbol, and call the Bear 
of Berne old Mutz.” 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


51 

‘‘And we, too — we Belgians — would not allow 
our independence to be wrested from us without a 
struggle,** said Herman. “ Unhappily, God has not 
given us the Alps as a rampart against violence and 
force.** 

“ Oh ! I know this well, gentlemen. Belgium, 
with its popular king, its industrious people, and 
great and liberal institutions, is an object of admir- 
ation to all Europe. I may say so without doing 
my country any harm : Switzerland is the Belgium 
of the south.** 

“ A mistake — this is exaggerated politeness,** 
cried Max Rapelings, “ say rather that Belgium is 
the Switzerland of the north.** 

“ Very well, gentlemen, we will no longer quibble 
about words. It suffices to say, that if any people 
have the right to call themselves brothers, they are 
on the one side the Belgians and Hollanders, and 
on the other the Swiss. Now, come; we have no 
more time to lose ; for if you wish to leave to-mor- 
row for the Oberland, I shall not have, at least on 
this occasion, the pleasure of spending more than 
one day in your society.** 

“ Oh dear,** replied Herman, “ nothing obliges us 
to go away exactly to-morrow.** 

“ How, nothing obliges us ?’* interrupted his 
friend ; “ our plans should be carried out. Are you 
already beginning? At any rate, we will return 
here on our way from Geneva.** 

“ Well then, we will leave to-morrow; yet — ** 

Up to this time they had spoken in German. 


52 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


The young doctor nudged Herman with his elbow, 
and muttered in Flemish, as they were leaving the 
Schweizer-hof \ 

I won't have any nonsense, do you hear? You 
wish to remain at Berne on account of that balcony, 
and the pale maiden; but it was not for this we 
came to Switzerland. As to myself, I want to be- 
hold mountains." 

‘‘You will do so, only be silent; our host might 
become vexed at your asides." 

Their guide carried them across the Neuen-Gasse, 
pointed out the Kafig-Thurm, an old tower which 
serves as a prison, and took them to the Murks- 
Gasse (Market street). 

They were able to contemplate old Berne in all 
its picturesqueness better still than in the street 
where they lived. 

Fountains with the most marvelous statues, and 
water springing forth to the middle of the street, 
and sombre arcades beneath the houses with parti- 
colored gables, made our Flemings look around 
them with astonishment, hardly listening to the 
short explanations that the citizen of Berne was 
giving them about all they saw. 

He looked at his watch evidently, with a specific 
object, and said to them: 

“ Come, gentlemen, let us make haste. You will 
see what the people of Berne, no doubt through an 
exaggerated love for their country, would wish to 
be considered as the eighth wonder of the world. 
It wants a few minutes of ten — this is the very time. 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


S3 


Here is the Zeitglocken Thiirm^ which is called the 
Clock Tower — pay attention, the performance be- 
gins.’’ 

They saw on the gable of the old tower, not very 
high above the street, a great number of strange 
figures. A cock beat its wings and crowed as nat- 
urally as if it had life. Then a cavalcade of bears 
walked around a sort of king, who, when the hour 
struck, turned over an hour-glass, and counted with 
his sceptre the strokes made by another personage 
on the clock with a hammer ; the cock crew again, 
and the performance was over, to begin once more 
at the end of another hour. 

Many strangers, citizens and children, had stopped 
to see this strange sight ; then each one went his 
way. 

‘‘ Let us take this street,” said the citizen, “ I 
want to show you as a novelty the great Berne cel- 
lar. And observe, as you pass by, that fountain 
with its fancy statue — it is called the Kindlifresser 
BrunnenT 

‘‘ Here is the diminutive again,” muttered Max 
Rapelings low to his friend. ‘‘ In Flemish we would 
say. Kindly nvreter' s-br on (the spring of the ogre.) ” 

What they saw was the ludicrous figure of a man 
occupied in devouring little children, while other 
children were strung to his waist, or crammed into 
his pouch like provender. A band of armed bears 
stood proudly at his feet. It was all gilded and 
silvered, and painted in gay colors. 

‘‘ Let us now enter the cellar under the grain 


54 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


market/’ said the citizen, ** and there taste, if you 
feel so inclined, our Berne beer or wine. Your 
uncle, Mr. Van Heuvel, has assured me that the 
Belgians, and especially those from Ghent, were 
lovers of good wine and beer.” 

They entered a wide and sombre vault, supported 
on either side by massive pillars. They knew from 
the sounds that a large crowd was assembled, but 
as they had just left the sunlight of the street, they 
could not at first distinguish a single object, though 
there were lighted candles on many of the tables. 

Their guide pointed out to them the gigantic 
tuns piled one on the other, and which according 
to their inscriptions did not contain less than twenty 
to twenty-five thousand pints. 

At the end of some moments, the friends became 
accustomed to the light of the candles, and looked 
with interest around the place. 

Then they saw the national costume of the town, 
in all its original picturesqueness, and besides these 
the costumes of the Canton of Berne; for there were 
at the tables several hundred people, who had evi- 
dently come from the country, either to bring pro- 
duce to market, or else to visit some of the tempor- 
ary soldier-citizens. 

They saw straw hats, strange head-dresses, and 
even bare heads, but the most usual costume 
was a black velvet bodice with linen or cotton 
sleeves of dazzling whiteness, and skirts with differ- 
ent colored stripes. Among many of them the 
sombre color of this velvet was relieved by a dou- 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


55 


ble silver chain, which was fastened beneath the 
shoulder blade by a hook with a lion’s head passed 
under the arm, meeting behind and again reaching 
the shoulder, where the same fastening was used. 

What most astonished Herman, was to see that 
some of the young Swiss girls wore their hair in 
two long braids, that reached to the ground. 

After tasting the beer, and spending a pleasant 
quarter of an hour in watching this strange crowd 
our two friends were disposed to leave, when a so- 
ciety began singing not far from them. 

As soon as they heard the first sounds, their at- 
tention was riveted, and they begged their guide to 
remain some moments longer. The song they 
heard, without being remarkable, was quite pretty, 
and very harmonious. The voices were disposed 
according to their strength, and chords were pro- 
duced the more striking as it was evident there was 
no knowledge of art, and they only depended 
upon a delicate ear and the musical instinct of 
singers. 

The Flemings had never heard a song of this 
kind. It bore some resemblance to what is called 
a Tyrolean song, made intricate by being divided 
into parts for high and low voices. 

When the last notes resounded through the enor- 
mous cellar, our friends involuntarily clapped their 
hands to give expression to their pleasure. 

A young man in the dress of a soldier rose and 
approached the citizen, who was evidently the guide 
of the two strangers. He doubtless knew him, for 
he grasped his hand warmly, and said : 


56 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


“ These gentlemen probably speak German ? 
Ah ! they do ? — that is pleasant. They seem to en- 
joy our Swiss lieds. Why sit so far from us? For 
their benefit we will sing what we best know, at 
least in our opinion.’' 

“ Come, gentlemen ; let us accept this friendly 
offer,” said the citizen to his guests. 

And as he rose he whispered: 

“ This astonishes you ? Such are our customs, 
at least among the people. Fear nothing ; I know 
these jolly singers, they are from Munsingen, good 
and excellent souls.” 

By accident, or the irony of fate, it happened 
that Max Rapelings was placed between two of the 
youngest, and most charming girls, whilst Herman 
was compelled to seat himself between his host and 
the young soldier. 

On all sides they now began to question the two 
strangers, asking them whence they came and what 
they thought of the town of Berne. Glasses were 
touched, and healths drunk to the free countries of 
Belgium and Switzerland. It required but a few 
minutes for our friends to feel perfectly at home, as 
if among brothers and sisters. 

Max Rapelings, especially, appeared happy and 
proud, or at least pretended to be so to tease his 
friend. At the same time he conversed with his 
two charming neighbors as well as his imperfect 
knowledge of German would permit, endeavoring 
to be witty and amusing. He moved about on his 
chair like a fish on a hook, rubbed his hands, and 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


57 


showed so plainly that he wanted to say ** I am in 
the seventh heaven/* that all laughed as tjhey ob- 
served him. 

At a signal given by one of the singers, a beauti- 
ful song broke forth. It was a collection of 
strophes with solos, the burden and choruses re- 
peated bocca chiusa. 

When this was over, they gave them two or three 
others ; between each one opinions were exchanged, 
and Max Rapelings did not neglect, as was natural 
to suppose, to renew his conversation with the two 
pretty Swiss girls. 

The Flemings were enjoying themselves so much, 
especially the young physician, that he would never 
have thought of rising, if their guide had not re- 
minded them they must continue their explorations 
of the city. 

Friendly thanks and farewells were exchanged. 
Max even received, to his great surprise, a cordial 
grasp of the hand from each of his neighbors, and 
they left the cellar-vault, in spite of Max beseeching 
to remain longer. 

“With respect to bears and ogres,** he growled, 
in Flemish, “ I much prefer these amiable little 
Swiss girls.** 

“ Now, no nonsense,** muttered Herman, with 
pretended displeasure. “ Our plans must be carried 
out to the letter. We must see all of Berne to-day.’* 

“Oh! oh! he is jealous, he envies me. My one 
shoulder is higher than the other. An ugly man 
is never feared.** 


58 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


** You well know what the proverb says.** 

‘‘Yes, indeed; ‘Beware of those that have any 
mark* — isn’t that it? You are taking your revenge 
because I laughed at your reveries over the pale 
maiden. This is quite another thing. These amiable 
Swiss girls deserve a somewhat longer remem- 
brance ; but long live liberty ! Out of sight, out of 
mind.** 

As they walked along their guide called their at- 
tention to the town hall, took them through the 
beautiful large thoroughfare known as Justice 
street (Gerechtigheit Gasse)^ and finally said : 

“We are now coming to the bridge Nydecko. 
It is one hundred and eighty feet long, and is more 
than a hundred feet high, and is supported by three 
arches, the middle one being not less than one hun- 
dred and seventy feet in width.** 

A little further on he pointed out a balustrade of 
hewn stone, near which many people were hasten- 
ing to look over. 

“ This is the celebrated bear-pit of Berne,** he 
said. “ Pass here when you choose, you will always 
find people of all ages, who are amusing themselves 
throwing bread and fruit to these ferocious beasts. 
Here is a good place. See the tricks of these 
bears, and how they lift up their arms like real 
beggars.** 

“ They seem to be possessed of human intelli- 
gence — as if wishing to make themselves agree- 
able,** said Herman, laughing. 

“ Yes, sir; but in i86i a terrible proof was given 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


59 


of the little confidence that may be placed in these 
marks of good will : — an English captain fell into 
the pit, and the bears killed him and tore him to 
pieces.** 

While Max Rapelings was entirely absorbed in 
contemplating the amusing antics of the bears, Her- 
man, while glancing around, noticed a lady wrapped 
in a red shawl, who had dropped a yellow glove, 
and who would probably have lost it, as she con- 
tinued walking on. He picked up the glove, ran 
after the lady, and said to her in French : 

‘'You have lost something, madam.** 

The lady turned. Herman seemed transfixed 
This lady was no other than the pale maiden of 
the Aarberg-Gasse, whom he had not recognized 
at first, owing to her wearing a colored shawl. 

She made a step towards him; took her glove 
with a smile of thanks, and said in a voice whose 
sweetness was great — 

“ I thank you infinitely, sir.** 

But at once appeared beside her the old gentle- 
man with the crabbed face, who fixed upon the 
young man a look both piercing and interrogative. 

Just at this moment Max turned towards his 
friend, and cried out : 

“ Here, Herman ;* come quick ; there are some 
bears fighting furiously.** 

This cry produced upon the young girl and old 
gentleman an extraordinary effect — it seemed to 
strike them with terror and affright. They turned 
away and walked off rapidly, as if in the young 
doctor they had recognized a dreaded enemy. 


6o 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


Max Rapelings had observed this inopportune 
meeting ; he left the Swiss, who was still amusing 
himself by looking into the bear-pit, ran towards his 
friend, looked at his face, attentively, and cried with 
astonishment : 

‘'You are pale! What did she say to you? 
Did her tyrant insult you? You do not answer. 
Alas I there is the end of all our pleasure for to-day ! 
I would give the poor five francs were you never 
more to meet the pale maiden and her dragon.” 

“Hush! hush! Max; I have heard her voice; 
it is marvellously sweet and fascinating — it still re- 
sounds in my ear like a cry of distress.” 

“ How, a cry of distress ? Did she complain to 
you ? What did she say ? ” 

“ Nothing else than : ‘ I thank you infinitely, 
sir.^ ” 

“ And you call that a cry of distress ? If you 
are not about losing your wits !” 

“Yes, but her voice was so plaintive, and her 
smile — ” 

“ Oh ! she smilled upon you, did she ? The 
devil ! things begin to look serious.” 

“ Her smile is so soft, so sad and plaintive.” 

“ It is well : you are beginning to talk in verse 
now ? This does not appear td be the exact spot, 
just beside the bear-pit. Come, behave yourself, 
Herman ; here is our host coming. For the love of 
Heaven, do not mention the pale maiden before 
him, for he might think you had lost your wits.” 

“ One might remain hours watching those villain- 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


6i 


ous tricksters,” said the citizen, “but we should 
turn our time to account. Follow me, gentlemen, 
we are going to cross the bridge once more.” 

After traversing two or three streets, they reached 
the front of the Cathedral, a magnificent Gothic 
monument which is distinguished for its beautifully 
carved ornaments. The willing guide pointed out 
to the young men, to the west of the church, the 
equestrian statue of Rudolph Von Erlach, a patriot 
hero, and on the south side, the statue of Berthold 
Van Zahringen, another valiant chief of the Swiss 
people. 

“ This place, planted with trees and provided with 
benches, is the ancient cemetery,” added the peas- 
ant “ It is more than a hundred feet above the 
level of the Aar. Walk to the end over there, and 
your eye will fall plumb on the river bank. The 
inscription you see on that stone attests that in 
1854 a student, Therbald Weingah, fell into the 
abyss without being injured.” 

As he pronounced these last words, the young 
men were measuring with their eye this giddy 
depth. 

“B-r-r! it makes me giddy,” cried Max. “You 
say, sir, that a student fell from this height without 
being utterly crushed ? ” 

“ Without being in the least hurt. Read the in- 
scription.” 

“ So it says, indeed. There are things however, 
one must see to believe, unless it be a miracle.” 

“ But every one is not so fortunate,” replied the 


62 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


narrator, in a tone of reproof. About eight years 
ago two people from Neufchatel also fell down there, 
but you may imagine in what condition they were 
picked up.’* 

“That is a beautiful waterfall over there!” said 
Herman, “ I hear the roaring of the foaming river 
from here. Don’t I see some people quite near 
there engaged in fishing? And some sitting at 
tables eating ? ” 

“ It is the Schwell (swell), where the Aar banked 
up falls a few feet in distance.” 

“ What kind of fish do they catch there ? ” asked 
Max. 

“ They are trout.” 

“Ah! trout! salmon trout?” 

“ Yes, and other kinds too.” 

“ We must eat some trout before leaving Switzer- 
land. It is the best fish in the world.” 

“ Are you lovers of fish, gentlemen ?” 

“Yes, especially trout.” 

“ Would it please you to dine down below, over 
yonder? You can indulge in as many trout as you 
like, and what is more to the point, see them caught 
while at the table.” 

The two friends applauded the proposal. 

“ Come, we will go down to the Pre de la 
Schwellel' said the citizen, taking our young men 
towards a stone staircase which led to the banks of 
the Aar. 

There they stepped on a boat which carried them 
across the river, and two minutes after were seated 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


63 


under wide spreading trees in front of a large res- 
taurant, called the Schwellenwath, A few steps off, 
the Aar fell transversely from a certain height, 
thus formimg a cascade several hundred feet in 
width, whose white and foaming waves bounded as 
if over some impediment, then fell into a sort of 
natural basin, and there roaring and angry were 
driven back with giddy speed, whirling about to 
find a new bed for their interrupted flow. 

At a considerable distance from the cascade there 
had been placed woodwork, which formed several 
outlets where the fish were, so to speak, obliged to 
enter ; but in the outlets, nets in the form of weirs 
were introduced, wherein were constantly caught a 
large number of fine fish. 

When the man had finished ordering the dinner, 
he invited his guests to follow the boy beyond the 
waterfall, where they saw him lift the nets and 
select the fish they had ordered. 

Their Amphitryon said to them : 

“ That large fine fish is a salmon trout, the other 
smaller ones are common trout, and the others 
smaller still are fit for frying. They are all still alive, 
and in a half hour will be served to us cooked, either 
fried or ‘‘au gratin.*’ Taken fresh from the water, 
fish becomes a delicious morsel, and you may well 
see, gentlemen, by those consuming it around the 
table, that fresh fish is very much liked at Berne. 
Let us go and place ourselves at a table quite near 
the cascade and while awaiting our dinner we will 
drink a bottle of the wine of the country. It is 


64 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


not exquisite in taste, but as you are desirous of 
making acquaintance with everything you would 
possibly like to taste the wine produced in our 
mountains.” 

Seated near a table, with their eyes on the flash- 
ing torrent, the two friends enjoyed in silence the 
picturesque situation of the Schwellenwath, 

They beheld a striking spectacle. At their feet, 
the waves whirled around angrily, bounded and 
broke, and seethed as if animated with a furious 
rage. Further on, at the other side of the Aar, 
they saw the ground on which the town is built 
rise abruptly to a height of over a hundred feet, 
giving the houses the appearance of being sus- 
pended in mid-air. 

“ I should like to live in such a house,” said Her- 
man. 

Not I,” said Max. 

‘‘ One must see at a great distance from there, and 
probably may always enjoy a view of the sunny 
Alps.” 

“Yes, Herman, but reflect, suppose there were 
an earthquake, a violent shock, would it not suffice 
to shake all the town of Berne into the Aar?” 

“ Happily, my young gentleman, our town is 
built upon the solid rock — a sure foundation, be as- 
sured of it. Ah ! here comes the first part of our 
dinner. You will tell me, sirs, whether we under- 
stand cooking fish in Berne.” 

Different sorts of fish were successively served 
them, and they finished off with shrimps. Most 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


65 


probably the walk across the city, aided by the 
pure mountain air, had given an edge to his guests’ 
appetite, for they found everything so good and 
well -cooked, that they declared they had never 
dined so well before — the salmon trout above all 
being the subject of their especial praise. 

After the repast. Max ventured the following 
remark, showing he had dined with exuberance : 

“ Oh^ dear ! I believe really there is a large hole 
in my stomach since I came to Switzerland. Her- 
man, my boy, I should like to cast a glance into 
our interior; it must somewhat resemble an aqua- 
rium, where all kinds of fish are disporting them- 
selves.” 

“ If they saw us eat in this way at Ghent, they 
would not think we could survive it,” muttered 
Herman.” “And a strange thing about it is, that I 
feel so well-disposed and my head is so clear, I be- 
lieve I have the capacity to begin all over again.” 

“ It is the mountain air, gentlemen,” said the 
good man, “ the long walks, the tension of the 
mind, and, above all, the excellence of the Swiss 
fish.” 

“Herman, I have found a good way to make 
you forget the pale maiden,” exclaimed Max, in 
Flemish, while the Swiss had gone to order coffee. 

“ Indeed ! have you perchance a wish to push 
me into this yawning gulf? ” 

“ No, my dear friend, I do not hate you suffici- 
ently for that.” 

“And what is this marvelous means?” 

3 


66 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


“ Only to make you eat. You may laugh : 
what I say is serious. Your wild imagination is 
ordinarily occupied in dreaming without giving 
you any rest, but when you have eaten well, were 
it only a half dozen trout, then you become human 
and reasonable. Yes, yes, Herman, since we have 
been in Switzerland, you are only sensible when you 
are well replenished.” 

** One would say I had eaten alone,” laughed the 
young lawyer, ‘‘ and that you looked at me doing it, 
with your arms crossed. Our host could not keep 
his eyes off you, when you were handling your knife 
and fork, like a weaver his shuttle, insatiate glutton 
that you are ! ” 

They might have continued their friendly discus- 
sion in this exaggerated style, if their companion 
had not returned with a boy bringing the coffee and 
a choice collection of assorted liquors. 

The cigars were lighted, they placed themselves 
at their ease, looking at the cascade and talking of 
Switzerland and its honest, strong, and industrious 
population. They resolved to remain there about 
two hours, it felt so cool and pleasant, and more- 
over they had a right to rest after so long a walk. 
The Swiss consented to do so, not only that he en- 
joyed himself very much in the society of the young 
men, but more especially because he had the inten- 
tion of taking them a half league out of the town, 
and the repose after dinner would renew their 
strength for the additional exercise. Max Rapelings 
observed that his companion became more and 


THE LOST GLOVE. 6/ 

more silent, and was disposed to reproach him 
with it, when their guide rose, evidently with the in- 
tention of paying for their dinner. A lively discus- 
sion took place on the subject between the young 
doctor and the honest Bernese, but it was in vain 
for Max to protest, he was compelled as a stranger 
and an invited guest to accept his Amphitryon’s 
hospitality. 

The latter directed his steps towards the house. 

Max looked, smiling at his companion who seemed 
to be buried anew in reflection. 

** Herman,do you wish to re-dine?” 

re-dine? I do not understand you.” 

“ There you are again, plunged in thought, and 
the image of the poor unfortunate maiden pale ris- 
ing up before your eyes.” 

” That is true Max — what can be done about it ? 
I feel too keenly. You cannot imagine with what 
pity her sorrowful fate inspires me. I should like 
to banish these thoughts, but as you say, my imagi- 
nation gets the better of me.” 

‘‘ Employ my method — eat another half dozen of 
trout.” 

Fie ! Max, you are a pitiless joker, and have no 
heart ; for a poor sick girl you have found, up to 
this time, no other words of commiseration than 
foolish pleasantry and ridiculous witticism.” 

“Come, gentlemen,” said their guide, returning; 
“we will now review rapidly some of the other 
curiosities of our town ; then take a last walk to 
the Enge (the Gorge), this may fatigue you some- 


68 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


what, but you will only sleep the better — yes, we 
must go to the Enge. You cannot leave Berne 
without seeing it.’' 

They recrossed the Aar in a small boat, mounted 
the stone staircase towards the high city, and soon 
came to a fine large monument built of grey stone. 

“ This is the house of the Council of the BimdJ' 
said the Bernese, or as would be said in Brussels, 
the Palace of the Nation, or of Representatives. 
You see, gentlemen, Switzerland is not wanting in 
clever architects, or in taste. The Palace of the 
Swiss Bund was executed in the Florentine school, 
by Studer. Admire, in front of the palace, that 
beautiful fountain, with its statue of a woman in 
copper. That woman is called Berna, and is the 
poetic personification of my dear native city.” 

As they left the square and were crossing in 
front of the tower of St. Christopher, to direct their 
steps towards the Aarberg gate, the citizen replied 
to a question of Herman’s : 

‘‘ Switzerland is composed of twenty-two cantons, 
and that of Berne is the largest. Each canton is 
an independent State as to all that does not concern 
the general business of the confederacy. This gen- 
eral business is the defence of the country, the cus- 
toms, the postal service, the currency, the manufac- 
ture and sale of gunpowder. At the head of the 
Bund is the Federal Assembly, composed of the 
National Councils and Councils of State. These 
legislative bodies are chosen by the people. Every 
Swiss' is an elector as soon as he attains the age of 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


69 


twenty years. In the Federal Assembly is chosen 
a Federal Council, which administers public affairs 
absolutely like a ministry. I could speak to you 
longer, gentlemen, about the beautiful and liberal 
institutions of Switzerland ; but this would be super- 
fluous with Belgians, whose fine Constitution is 
almost the same as ours, setting aside a few 
details/* 

He was interrupted in his explanations by Max 
Rapelings, who said to him : 

“ Look there ! if I am not mistaken, there is the 
madam coming towards us.** 

‘‘ It is, indeed, my wife,** replied the Bernese. 
“ She probably came out to attend to some commis- 
sions in the town.** 

The woman met them, and an animated conversa- 
tion ensued about all that the young men had seen 
and admired. Herman and Max expressed the 
lively gratitude they felt for the generous hospitality 
which had been accorded them, and especially for 
the frank friendship shown them, which they would 
never forget. 

When about to leave the old lady said to them : 

“ By the way, gentlemen, I had forgotten to tell 
you some news. You know the young sick girl, 
who lived at the opposite balcony from us ? She is 
gone.** 

“ Gone ! '* cried Herman, as if he had been 
knocked down. 

“ Yes, gone to Geneva and from there on to 
Italy — the old gentleman having became somewhat 


70 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


more communicative, told it to his hostess. She 
was very much astonished at it, for the Russian 
was to have remained two weeks longer. About 
midday he took a carriage with two horses, had his 
luggag^e put upon it, paid my neighbor liberally, 
the horses were whipped up, and off they went as if 
flying from some pursuit that annoyed them.*’ 

“ To Italy ! ’* sighed the young lawyer, as if he 
could not believe it. 

‘‘ Italy is a good distance off — a pleasant jour- 
ney ! ** cried Max merrily. 

The astonished Bernese asked them if they knew 
the sick stranger, but his wife explained that they 
had seen her on her balcony, and felt as every 
one else did, pity for the poor suffering child. She 
crossed the square in front of the station, then her 
husband and our two friends continued their walk. 

Suddenly Max RapeKngs drew from his pocket a 
five-franc piece, and showed it to his friend. 

“ What do you mean to do ? ** he asked him. 

“You will see,” replied Max. 

And going a little to one side he placed the 
piece in the hand of a little urchin, who gazed at 
him stupefied with open mouth, as if he considered 
him a madman, but who did not take long to de 
camp with his unexpected treasure. 

“ What are you about, sir?” asked the Bernese, 
“ that boy is not a beggar — there are no beggars 
in Berne.” 

“ One must have received a knock on the head 
with a hammer, to be possessed of such crotchets,” 
growled Herman. 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


71 


‘‘ It is a vow,” replied Max, with an ironical 
smile. “ I promised to give five francs to the poor, 
if a certain thing occurred. One's word is one's 
word.” 

A moment after he triumphantly whispered in 
his friend’s ear : 

‘‘ My vow taken at the bear-pit. She is gone to 
Italy and from there returns to Russia. It is to be 
hoped that now, you will become a little more 
lively.” 

** Nonsense, you have no need to triumph over 
me, for I am happier than you. She is gone.” 

Yes it seems so — when you count every stone 
in the street.” 

‘‘ Hush ; what will our host think of these impo- 
lite asides !” 

They spoke no more of the young stranger, and 
at the end of a short half hour reached the Enge, 

The Enge is a peninsula formed by one of the 
windings of the Aar, above which it rises over a 
hundred feet. There are numerous avenues, 
woods, hills, and valleys, and the town of Berne 
has built a sumptuous cafe there, where a fine view 
of the overland Alps is enjoyed. There are benches 
and chairs in every direction, and it is so pleasant 
and delightful, one may walk without fatigue for 
hours, or remain seated enjoying the picturesque 
borders of the Aar, or the distant summits of the 
snow mountains. This our friends did, and after 
supping in the Enge cafe they directed their steps 
towards home as the sun was beginning to decline. 


72 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


They would have wished a second time to enjoy 
the grandiose spectacle they so much admired on 
the Schdnzli, but were at last so fatigued, their legs 
could scarcely carry them. They agreed with their 
host, that early the next day they would breakfast 
with him at his own table and at about ten or eleven 
o’clock would leave by railway for Thun, that their 
trip into the Oberland might begin. They were to 
spend the night at Interlaken, and drive the next 
day to the Lauterbrunnen, and from there, proceed 
on foot to the Grindelwald, traversing the Vengern- 
Alp. They would then ascend the Faulhorn, which 
is nine thousand feet high, and .descend near Brienz. 
Then they were to cross the Brienz and the lake of 
the Four Cantons, and go to Lucerne, making the 
ascent of the Righi. Finally by way of Fluellen 
and the St. Gothard, they would reach the val- 
ley of the Rhone, returning to Berne by way of 
Geneva, Lausanne, and Fribourg. Such was the 
itinerary followed by Mr. Van Heuvel, and which 
they proposed to follow in their turn. 

Their trunk was to remain at Berne, and they 
would take with them only what was absolutely in- 
dispensable for their trip. To this end, they deter- 
mined the next day, to purchase for themselves a 
sort of leather wallet, as well as a cudgel to wear at 
the side. 

While discussing their departure the next morn- 
ing, and the trip they were about to make, they 
reached the Aarberg Gasse and at once went to 
their rooms, fatigued, worn out, and almost breath- 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


73 


less. They seated themselves on a sofa, and there 
remained without exchanging a word, until Her- 
man, under the influence of his secret reflections, 
began suddenly to laugh. 

“ What is the matter, now ?” growled Max Rapel- 
ings. “Are you laughing at me?’* 

“ Not at all,” replied the young lawyer. “ I am 
laughing at my own simplicity. Would you be- 
lieve it. Max, I still have the pale maiden before my 
eyes ? Since her plaintive look first struck me, her 
image pursues me unceasingly. I was asking my- 
self an explanation of the strange influence that this 
unknown stranger exercises over me.” 

‘ Pah? the only explanation is that it belongs to 
your nature, which is extremely sensitive. Is it not 
ever the same with you ? As soon as you see any- 
thing that seems to you beautiful, wonderful, or in- 
teresting, your imagination breaks loose, and you 
begin to dream like an inspired poet. Happily, the 
next day there remains no trace of this fire of straw, 
otherwise, you would become a very tiresome com- 
panion. The pale maiden has been an agreeable 
incident of our travels. If later on we still think of 
her, it will be, as you say, to laugh at your simpli- 
city.” 

“ No ; this time you are mistaken,” replied Her- 
man, shaking his head. “The thing was more seri- 
ous than you think. I scarcely dare acknowledge it, 
but yet in the foaming waves of the cascade, in the 
woods of the EngCy in the air, in the clouds, upon 
the snowy Alps, everywhere, I saw but that gentle 


74 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


face, which gazed at me with a plaintive air. My 
imagination, which is easily touched, is not the only 
cause. I explain the strange power of her look 
upon me by the peculiar position in which I hap- 
pened to be when I saw her for the first time. 
There, on the balcony, under the pure sky, moved 
and excited by a deep sense of well-being, touched 
by the appearance of that singular and beautiful 
street, I was so happy with the mere act of living, 
and so disposed to admire everything, that all my 
impressions were necessarily vivid and exaggerated 
in proportion even to my very enthusiasm. Now, 
that I know she is gone and we will see her no 
more, this strange enchantment is vanishing.” 

‘‘ Poor Herman,” muttered the young doctor, 
already half-asleep. ” A charm ! Can the pale 
maiden, by chance, have carried your heart off to 
Geneva? This is impossible! A young Russian 
whom we do not know — perhaps the daughter of a 
Cossack ! ” 

‘‘You are still joking. Max. It is not that; I 
questioned myself about it, but found within me 
nothing but pity — an inordinate pity — unnatural, 
something like a sickly dream of my impressionable 
mind. And, believe me, now that I am calm and 
able to face things, I feel no other sentiment than a 
natural interest in the sufferings of an unhappy 
young girl.” 

‘‘You close your eyes. Max! You are tired; is 
it so ? ” 


“ Indeed, I can stand no more.” 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


75 


** Well, then, go to bed.” 

** And you, Herman ? ” 

“ I wish first to write a letter to my mother — it is 
my turn to-day. I shall not only recount to her all 
the splendid things we have seen at Berne, but I 
wish to speak to her of the pale maiden. Now that 
the illusion is vanished, I feel sufficient freedom of 
mind to entertain my mother with this strange agi- 
tation of my heart.” 

He took up his pen and began to write, while 
Max Rapelings disappeared within his chamber, 
muttering a scarcely articulated “ good-night.” 
Herman wrote during an entire hour, and finally 
finished his long letter. 

Instead of going to bed, he placed himself on 
the balcony, with his eyes fastened on the opposite 
window. What did he dream of there, and in what 
course ran his thoughts, it would be indeed diffi- 
cult to guess, but at the end of a half hour he 
closed the window, took the lamp, entered his 
friend’s room, and asked : 

“ Max, Max ; are you asleep ? ” 

‘‘Why, awaken me? What do you want?” 
growled Max, displeased. 

“A thought has struck me; we had intended ter- 
minating our trip by the way of Geneva; suppose 
we begin it that way ? ” 

“What infernal dream is this ?” sneered Max, 
“ Now he intends us to run after the pale maiden. 
Go to bed, and let me sleep.” 

Ashamed of his own folly, Herman left the room 
and went to bed muttering. 


76 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


CHAPTER IV. 

Among the many travelers who alighted from the 
train at Scherzlingen to take their places on the 
steamboat for the Lake of Thun, were Herman Van 
Borgstal and Max Rapelings. 

They appeared very happy and animated. The 
weather indeed was the most perfect in the world. 
The sun shone so vividly in the deep blue sky, that 
the eye could scarcely bear its rays. 

The other travelers, men and women of every 
country, scattered on the deck of the boat, or seated 
about on chairs and benches, did not appear to be 
in less good humor. Their eyes wandered about 
with happy enthusiasm, laughing in advance at the 
pleasure they promised themselves. They were 
still on the river Aar, but would soon reach the 
Lake of Thun, and sail on one of these blue Alpine 
seas around which nature has heaped her treasures 
with blind prodigality. 

Who has not felt touched in public exhibitions at 
those enchanting pictures, where the German artist 
has painted with a loving hand the mountain lakes 
of his country. 

The blue and tranquil mirror of the waters, the 
brown rocks rising out of the bosom of the waves, 
the green hillocks in the adjacent valley, the silver 
stream which comes murmuring along to mingle its 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


77 


waters with the great lake, the play of light and 
color, the purple fogs and transparent shadows, all 
this awakens in the hearts of those who dwell in 
flat countries a sentiment of admiration and a sigh 
of envy. 

“ How beautiful it is ! How picturesque ! God 
grant that once in my life I may see these moun- 
tain lakes.*' 

Most of the passengers were visiting Switzerland, 
as were our young Flemings, for the first time. 
Their wish was about to be accomplished ; the boat 
had got under way, and was just about to leave the 
bed of the Aar to navigate a sea nearly four leagues 
in length. 

Hardly had they taken in the picturesque situa- 
tion of the town of Thun, with its castles and plea- 
sure gardens, which ornament the borders of the 
Aar. 

The Castle of Shadan alone had diverted their 
attention from the beauties of nature. It rises on the 
right bank of the Aar in the midst of a delightful 
park. It is very large, and may be distinguished by 
a great number of towers, balconies, and galleries ; 
and though its architectural style is nothing remark- 
able, it commands attention by its position and 
Gothic appearance. 

Now comes a joyous cry of surprise from every 
breast. Max Rapelings lifts up his arms to Heaven, 
Herman Van Borgstal takes his hand and presses 
it in silence, a tear of enthusiasm glistens in every 
eye. The steamboat has left the Aar and is wafted 


78 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


over a blue surface more than a league in width. 
Under their first emotions the tourists do not speak 
— all their faculties seem concentrated in their eyes 
— their breasts are heaving and hearts palpitating. 

For a man who, like our Flemings, is born in a 
flat country, where the smallest elevation takes the 
name of a mountain, the first view of one of these 
Alpine seas is a spectacle which moves all his being, 
and incites him to an admiration which is some- 
what painful, as being above his power of endur- 
ance. 

Yet this feeling gradually becomes weakened, to 
give way to one of lively enjoyment — to a sort of 
pride in the consciousness of his humanity ; for if 
the world is so magnificent and marvelously beau- 
ful, is he not the greater also? — he whom God has 
made king of creation ? 

‘‘Goodness of Heaven!’' cried Max, enthusiasti- 
cally, “ how unhappy are those who are compelled 
to die without contemplating such sights ! They 
study in the books, they gather up knowledge, 
they speak of nature, and alas ! know not the land 
which they inhabit! Under the impressions pro- 
duced upon me by God’s handiwork, my heart is so 
touched that a mere nothing would cause me to 
weep through tenderness and pity for our friends 
in Ghent who will perhaps never see Switzerland.” 

“ I can scarcely breathe,” murmured Herman. “ It 
is incredible, and I am still not sure I do not dream. 
What are the marvels of the Thousand and One 
Nights as compared with the grandeur of this en- 
chanting nature !” 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


79 


"May God be praised in His works! my heart 
overflows with gratitude/' cried Max, beside him- 
self. 

" Contain yourself, my friend ; we are observed 
on all sides. Ah ! now at least you are serious, my 
good Max. Is it not beautiful here? See there 
over to the left the shore, which rises from the water 
almost perpendicularly to the height of three thous- 
and feet, the lower part of it carpeted with vines, 
above, thick woods, pretty chalets, old castles, som- 
bre rocks, and foaming waterfalls, and all this in 
gradual stages, as if we were contemplating the back 
scenes of an immense theater, painted by man him- 
self." 

" Yes, Herman, this is all astonishing and admir- 
able. But what absorbs and overwhelms me is 
the sight of these gigantic mountains, of these rocks, 
of these fields of glittering ice which bound the hor- 
izon over yonder. Thejr feet are bathed in the blue 
lake, and their heads touch the sky. They must 
certainly be over ten thousand feet high." 

" It would seem, Max, as if the air and the light 
were animated with a life of their own. See against 
the side of the mountains in the valleys, that play 
of color running through the gamut of a thousand 
scarcely discernible tints, that soft and enchanting 
purple which is diffused over the crevasses and 
which appears to us as if bathed in a dream ! " 

" What almost gives me the vertigo, is that I lose 
the sense of proportion and of distance," said the 
young physician. " The Lake of Thun is a league 


8o 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


in width, and it appears to me as if I could hurl a 
stone from one side to the other.** 

‘‘ It produces the same effect upon me,*’ replied 
Herman. ‘‘ I shudder as I contemplate, in the dis- 
tance, those mountains of ice, as if I feared they 
would bury us beneath them, and yet I know they 
are six leagues off, or even more.** 

“This is a singular illusion of the senses. Do 
you observe over there against the sombre chain of 
the mountains, that delicate green which breaks 
here and there the monotonous bareness of its 
sides ? Well ! those green lines are woods — woods 
with great trees where one might be lost for several 
hours. The crevasses between the mountains look 
like very narrow gorges, and I am satisfied the 
whole city of Paris could dance easily within them. 
Like yourself, I feel that my eyes have lost the 
power of judging of the dimension of objects. No 
doubt this confusion of the mind will be dispelled 
as we become more accustomed to the sight of all 
this grandeur in nature.** 

A traveler, who had been some little time in their 
vicinity, and heard their conversation, said to them 
in German : 

“ If I be not mistaken, the gentlemen are from 
the Netherlands.** 

“ We are Belgians, sir,** replied Max Rapelings — 
“ Netherlanders, if it pleases you to say so.** 

“Is this your first visit to Switzerland? So I 
gleaned, as I understand Flemish a little. Are the 
gentlemen from Brussels?** 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


8i 


“ No ; from Ghent/* 

''A fine city, where the industries flourish. I 
have already visited it three times. You admired 
the Jungfrau. A fine mountain, is it not?’* 

‘‘Oh! this is the Jungfrau that we already have 
seen at the Schanzli at Berne. How white it is, 
dazzling, and majestic with its gigantic summit, 
which I suppose is all ice and snow ? ’* 

‘‘ Eternal snow, sir ; winter or summer the Jung- 
frau is always dressed in its clear and dazzling garb. 
It is called the Jungfrau (the Maiden) not only on 
account of this pure, white covering ; but also be- 
cause, until 1863, no one had ever mounted its 
snowy summit. For some years past this may no 
longer be said: in 1863 a lady made the attempt, 
with the aid of courageous guides be it understood, 
to climb to the highest point of the Jungfrau. Be- 
side it you see the Monch (the Monk) and the 
Eiger, on this side the Stockhorn, standing out 
like the keel of a boat ; the three summits of the 
Bliimis Alp, the Freundhorn, the Balmhorn, the 
Doldenhorn, and other giants of the Oberland. I 
know them well ; for every year I make a little trip 
through Switzerland. The village we have just 
sailed by is Gonten. Now the boat is obliquely di- 
rected towards Spiez, a little old town, very pictur- 
esque, situated in a plain near the border of the lake.” 

‘‘ But what do I see over there?” muttered Her- 
man, pointing with his finger into ‘space. 

“ You see the old chateau of Erlach,” replied the 
traveler. 


3 ^ 


82 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


** No, it is not that I mean,” replied the young 
lawyer, ‘‘over there in the water — an animal, a 
monster swimming, and men in little boats giving 
it chase. It cannot be a fish, for it looks as large 
as an elephant.” 

While the boat took them rapidly nearer the ob- 
ject which caused their astonishment, they stretched 
their eyes to make out what the animal could be, 
swimming like a marine monster, and every now 
and then appearing to jump half out of the water. 

“ Now, I can make out what it is,” said the trav- 
eler, laughing. “ It is a bull that has run away, 
and, being pursued, has jumped into the water. 
The people in the skiff are endeavoring to push 
him towards the bank, lest the furious beast should 
drown ; but I think that a bull, and especially 
this one, could swim a long while before reaching 
the opposite bank of the lake.” 

While he was thus speaking, the Flemings were 
entirely absorbed with the sight of the trouble the 
people in the boat were taking to bar up the pas- 
sage of the bull to the middle of the lake, and 
thereby push him towards the shore. But the 
strong animal, as soon as they approached him, 
half lifted himself out of the water, and jumped 
aside like a real fish beyond the reach of the boats. 

Most of the passengers followed this singular 
chase with their eyes. Max Rapelings had even 
run towards the stern to get a better sight of the 
bull. 

But the boat stopped at Spiez to put down some 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


83 


people and take up others. The traveler who had 
been talking with our two friends saw some one he 
knew and he left Herman Van Borgstal alone. 

The steamboat resumed its course. Herman was 
about going to rejoin his friend, when suddenly he 
stopped and paled with surprise. Did his eyes de- 
ceive him ? Was it really she whom he beheld ? 
— the young girl dressed in black, over there on a 
bench near the quarter-deck ? Who else could it 
be, since the old Russian was seated at her side 
with his head bent down ? 

There could no longer be any doubt ; she raises 
her head, she sees and recognizes him, as astonished 
as himself. Each seems to ask how it is they so 
constantly meet. 

But the young girl, as if intimidated by the young 
man's piercing look, allowed her head to fall upon 
her breast, and lowered her eyes. 

For a moment, a century for his heart, Herman 
had contemplated her to the exclusion of the entire 
world, when Max Rapelings returned towards him 
and said in a loud voice. 

Finally they have landed the bull, but not with- 
out trouble ; they did not however get him for their 
pains. See over there, Herman ; they are running 
after him, but he jumps over the hedges and trunks 
of trees, and seems as if he were defying them." 

Herman, completely absorbed in the contempla- 
tion of the girl, remained immovable and scarcely 
heard what his friend was saying. 

“ How is this? — are you deaf?" cried Max, ‘‘or 


84 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


are you trying to vex me ? If the pale maiden were 
not now in Geneva, I would think the devil had 
made her appear to you.’' 

Hold your tongue, for God’s sake, hold your 
tongue ! ” said the young lawyer in a beseeching 
voice. ‘‘ Do not say more, it might wound her.” 

Mercy of Heaven ! it is really she ! For the sec- 
ond time there goes our comfort,” sighed Max, as 
surprised as his friend at this unexpected appari- 
tion.” 

‘‘Where does she come from?” muttered he, after 
a moment’s silence. “ Did she emerge from the blue 
lake like a siren ? It begins to alarm me.” 

At this moment the aged companion of the pale 
maiden, perceived the young men. A visible shud- 
der ran through his frame, and he also opened his 
eyes with surprise at the meeting ; but this impres- 
sion was only momentary. A black cloud darkened 
his face, and an expression of anger and impatience 
caused his lips to contract. He spoke some words 
in a low tone to his companion, when they both rose 
and disappeared into the cabin of the steamer. 

“ I really begin to think there is some sorcery in 
this thing. Come, tell me now, where did she come 
from ? She did not fall into the boat from the skies, 
did she ? ” 

“ Why no. Max, she came on board at Spiez, 
while we were looking at the bull.” 

“ But Spiez is not on the way to Geneva. What 
could this mean ? Who knows but the pale maiden 
and her Russian are following us without our 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


85 


knowing it? But to be serious, I understand it. 
He gave out that he was going to Geneva and Italy 
to put us off the scent, if we really had the intention 
of following him, and with this idea endeavored to 
find out the direction he meant to take. This is 
what comes of having gazed so indiscreetly on the 
young girl in the Aarberg-Gasse.’' 

“ Alas! that is true. Max,” replied the young law- 
yer, with a mixture of sorrow and anger. “ The 
poor girl’s cruel oppressor noticed that her fate in- 
spired me with pity. He fears we will undertake 
something to annoy him in the accomplishment of 
his wicked intention, and essays to elude us. Who 
knows whether God Himself has not — ” 

‘‘ There my friend, now you are beginning to 
dream again,” said Max laughing. Let me alone 
with your unhappy story of a young girl, oppressed 
by a tyrant without pity. What can you know 
about it? This enigma begins to bother me too ; it 
acts upon my nerves. Believe me, I would willingly 
give just now a hundred francs, to see the Russian 
and his young traveling companion on the snowy 
summit of the Jungfrau! How gay we were this 
morning, and happy, and disposed to push our ad- 
miration to the verge of enthusiasm! Now again, 
it is all over. Nature has lost all her beauty, our 
cup of pleasure is poisoned.” 

“ Now certainly you exaggerate. Max.” 

‘‘I do not exaggerate. I cannot enjoy alone: 
when I see you so pensive and melancholy, my 
good spirits take flight.” 


86 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


‘‘ Suppose we go down into the cabin,” said Her- 
man, sputtering out his words as if not knowing 
what he was saying. 

** Better still ! Do you think I want to get into 
a quarrel with the Russian ? What right have we 
to pursue him indiscreetly ? He is probably a good 
man, and a gentleman ; he may perhaps be unfortu- 
nate. Why should we harass him ? I will not per- 
mit you to provoke a duel in Switzerland, particu- 
larly with a Russian. Think of your mother, 
Herman ! ” 

“You are right,” replied the young lawyer, with 
a stifled sigh. “ Let us forget that the pale young 
maiden is on board the steamer.” 

The traveler who had already talked with them 
now again came forward, and pointing over the lake 
with his hand, said : 

“ Did you observe that salient rock, before which 
we passed just now? It is called the Nose. A 
little further on you have Mount Beat, upon which, 
at a height of three thousand feet, there is a cave, 
the hermitage of St. Beat. It is said this Saint was 
the first apostle to this country, and dwelt in that 
cave. Do you perceive that thread of clear water 
coming down from the mountains by that hole? 
When it has rained hard, this rivulet swells suddenly 
at times to such a size that it fills all the opening, 
and falls again with a sound like thunder. There 
are still other mountains, among which are the 
Roth, Rothhorn de Sigriswel, seven thousand feet 
high. We are reaching Neuhaus, where the boat 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


87 


stops ; it is a short league from Interlaken. There 
are crowds of carriages there ; but as there are 
many passengers on board the boat, I advise you, 
gentlemen, if you do not wish to walk to Inter- 
laken, to make haste when we reach the landing. 
You, perhaps, know Interlaken means ‘between 
lakes.* If this alluvium ground were not here, the 
Sea of Thun would form but a single lake with that 
of Brienz, which is nearly as large. Now the two 
lakes have a communication by means of the Aar; 
but this boat cannot enter the lake of Brienz, on 
account of the windmills on the Aar.** 

Herman was absorbed in his own thoughts ; in 
vain he tried to lend an attentive ear to what the 
kind traveler was saying : he could not do it ; his 
mind had flown down stairs to the cabin, with the 
pale young maiden. 

Max Rapelings saw it, perfectly ; and had nudged 
him several times with his elbow to rouse his atten- 
tion. 

The steamboat drew up to the quay at Neuhaus 
— an empty space, where only one house is to be 
seen. 

All the travelers alighted as soon as possible, and 
ran towards the carriages to secure one. Max 
Rapelings and Herman Van Borgstal did the same, 
but the former stopped his friend near one of the 
carriages and said : 

“ No, let the Russian get out of the boat first to 
see what comes of it, otherwise we would be liable 
to go to the same, hotel at Interlaken. And the 


88 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


paladin and the dragon might take it into their 
heads, to tear each other to pieces. I am respon- 
sible to your mother. We will follow the Russian's 
carriage, not for the pleasure of doing so, but to 
watch him and choose a hotel at some distance 
from his." 

Herman was no longer listening; he saw the 
pale stranger alight from the steamer on the quay, 
and direct her steps towards the carriages. As 
Max and himself were partly hidden behind the 
corner of the house amid the throng of travelers, 
they could observe the young girl and her compan- 
ion, without themselves being noticed. Therefore 
he devoured with his eyes her who since his arrival 
at Berne, had taken complete possession of his 
mind in so inexplicable a manner. 

‘‘ Is she not beautiful, poor languishing flower ! " 
he said in a stifled voice. **See Max, she bows 
her head upon her breast ; what a slim figure, what 
dignity in her walk ! She must belong to the 
higher classes of society." 

“ Yes, yes, probably a Russian princess," said 
Max, laughing. 

Who knows?" 

“The Princess Bolgaradrutski von Tchezisgot, 
perhaps ? " 

“ Do not jest, I beg of you." 

'‘You tire me, Herman; if I didn’t know you so 
well I should believe on my word that the pale 
maiden had stolen your heart away, and for this rea- 
son, without knowing why, you are drawn towards 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


89 


her by an incomprehensible force. No more non- 
sense, I beg of you. There, get into the carriage — 
crack your whip, coachman, and we will be off after 
them.’’ 

But with all the effort they made to procure a 
carriage as they went the rounds, the only reply 
they received was “ engaged.” 

They were forced therefore to take places in the 
great mail coach, and when their vehicle finally got 
under way, the Russian’s carriage had long dis* 
appeared. 

They were seated in the omnibus, among all 
sorts of people, who in four or five different lan- 
guages expressed their dissatisfaction at the insuf- 
fiency of means for transportation at Neuhaus. 
Each affirmed that in his country things were bet- 
ter managed, and there was even a Spaniard who 
did not blush to indulge in this absurd talk. 

The Flemings, being separated from each other 
by two Englishmen, and their backs turned to the 
window, could not see much of the country ; they 
noticed, however, that the road was flat and planted 
with large, thick trees ; if the view had not been 
limited on either side by a chain of mountains, they 
might have thought themselves in the fertile plains 
of Flanders. 

After a full quarter of an hour’s drive the omni- 
bus reached the little town of Unterseen, which is 
only divided from Interlaken by the Aar. There 
were along the road a number of handsome houses 
both of frame and stone, and on each one might be 


90 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


read, Gasthofy Hotely or Pension, It is there, indeed, 
much more than at Interlaken, many people prefer 
to stay, that they may escape the continual coming 
and going of travelers. There were, too, a goodly 
number of carriages that had come from Neuhaus 
standing before the hotels, where they had depos- 
ited their burdens. 

“ Look ! before that hotel is the carriage of the 
pale maiden,*' said Herman to his friend, in 
Flemish. 

I think you are losing your sight ; their carriage 
was green, and the one you show me is yellow.** 

‘‘ No ; it is green, be assured of it.** 

‘‘A yellow-green, perhaps; but what does this 
prove ? There were at Neuhaus more than twenty 
carriages of the same color.** 

‘‘ This is true ; I am becoming idiotic,** muttered 
Herman, smiling sadly. ‘‘ Where are my thoughts 
traveling ?’* 

If you see her twice more, you will lose your 
mind entirely, my poor friend.** 

That is possible. Max.** 

During this time the omnibus had traversed a 
double row of houses, crossed the two bridges over 
the Aar, and come out on the great square or prom- 
enade of Interlaken. 

“ Schweizer-hofy Swiss Hotel,** cried the driver. 

As it was precisely the hotel recommended to 
them by the uncle of Max, our two friends alighted 
from the omnibus and entered the hotel, where 
they asked for a double room. They were told 


THE LOST GLOVE. 9 1 

there was a table d* hote at one o'clock and one at 
two. 

** Let us wash our hands," said Max, when they 
reached their room, ‘‘ it refreshes one." 

When these ablutions were over. Max, who was 
the first to finish, went to the window and lifted his 
hands to heaven in token of admiration. This 
window looked out on the beautiful glaciers of the 
Jungfrau, which the sun striking obliquely, seemed 
to render entirely transparent, as if only formed of 
a congelation of aerial vapors. 

Max remained some moments absorbed in the 
contemplation of this magnificent spectacle. He was 
going to call his friend to the window when he saw 
him standing in the middle of the room his arms 
crossed on his breast and eyes fastened on the ceil- 
ing. 

He shook his head with a mixture of anger and 
impatience, and said : 

‘‘ Herman, for the love of heaven, let the pale 
maiden go the devil, if it pleases her to do so. 
Come here to the window — look, the Jungfrau smiles 
in the distance upon us. It is a spectacle both excit- 
ing and splendid." 

The young lawyer went to the window, cast a 
glance upon the horizon, but did not utter a word 
that seemed to convey any expression of admiration 
for this magnificent nature. 

Max shook him roughly by the shoulder, saying: 

‘‘Do you know, Herman, this is becoming insup- 
portable? If you go on in this way, I shall be 


92 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


compelled to indulge in monologues during the re- 
mainder of our trip. I have just now kept silent to 
see whether you would speak. The fact is, my 
companion is both deaf and dumb. Truly a most 
amusing condition of things !** 

Now, do be a little indulgent to me ; it will pass 
away,*’ sighed Herman. 

“ No, no ; were I indulgent, your folly would in- 
crease. One must show one’s hand. As the Russian 
is at Interlaken we will probably meet him to-day 
more than once. Suppose we leave instantly? 

** Where to ? The day is pretty well advanced.” 

‘‘ It would indeed be embarrassing, and upset all 
our plan of travel.” 

‘‘ Yet, my dear Max, you are right to leave, and 
that at once would be the wisest thing. The pale 
maiden fills me with alarm.” 

‘'You alarm me still more, Herman; your voice 
is gloomy, your eyes haggard. Are you, perchance, 
playing a part to amuse yourself at my expense?” 

“ No, I have no wish to joke, believe it.” 

“ Well then be frank, what is happening to you?” 

“ I do not know.” 

“ You don’t know?” 

“ I am under the influence, irresistibly so, of a 
strange power. My reason, my will, my entire be- 
ing, is utterly absorbed by one thought alone — 
of her ! I am bewitched !” 

“ Possessed by the pale maiden ! Heavens ! the 
thing becomes terrible. I feel inclined to run away 
to Flanders with you.” 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


93 


But seeing his friend’s eyes glisten with tears, 
gave suddenly another turn to his humor. He 
closed the window, took a chair, and said in a tone 
of compassion : 

‘‘ Sit down, Herman, and let us talk seriously ; I 
do not feel inclined to laugh ; be sincere with me ; 
what is the nature of the agitation you feel at the 
unexpected sight of the young stranger ?” 

“ I do not really know.” 

“ Then you are no longer my friend ?” 

“ Ah ! Max, more than ever.” 

“Then why dissemble with me? Why not ac- 
knowledge you are in love ?” 

“ In love — I ? repeated Herman, with an ironical 
smile, which attested his profound incredulity, “ in 
love with the pale young maiden ? I thought. Max, 
you no longer intended to joke ?” 

“ But great goodness ! extricate me yourself from 
this cruel uncertainty, if you do not also wish to 
imperil the peace of my mind.” 

“ What shall I say to you ? It is fruitless for me 
to examine and seriously to question myself I 
find no love there — only pity. How this sentiment 
has assumed such immense proportions is what I 
cannot explain other than by the super-excitement, 
the enthusiasm, and the nervous sensibility, that 
have never left me for a moment in the midst of 
this exciting and wonderful nature.” 

“ What you now tell me, my dear Herman, is 
somewhat incomprehensible; but since you are 
able to discuss your condition, you might justly be 


94 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


supposed capable of getting the better of it. So 
you think it is not any particular sympathy, or — to 
express myself more clearly — that it is not love that 
so agitates you Y* 

‘‘Very certain.” 

“ Well, then let matters take their course, and be 
joyful ! In Switzerland, as you say, man feels all 
his faculties doubled, and everything within him 
grows, even to his very weaknesses. It is the 
effect of an enchanting nature — of the gigantic 
dimensions of things, of the air, the mountains so 
full of life, which are endowed with an electricity of 
their own.” 

“ Yes,” muttered Herman, sadly, “ it is all this ; 
at the same time — and furthermore, it is the attrac- 
tion of a mystery, which absorbs my mind and fever- 
ishly excites my nerves. Max, I gazed into her 
eyes a long time, when on the boat ; those plaintive 
eyes seemed to speak to me ; but I did not under- 
stand what they meant to convey. Was she asking 
for protection against the tyrant? I seemed to 
understand that she conveyed : ‘ Take pity on me ; 
otherwise, you see, I will soon die.* I sometimes 
think God himself permitted me to cross this poor 
suffering creature’s path to save her from a fright- 
ful death. These are dreams — wild dreams — I 
know ; but let me repeat it, the mystery around her 
excites my imagination and irritates my nerves.” 

Max Rapelings contemplated him, smiling for a 
moment, took his hand, and said : 

“ I am a physician. It belongs to me to seek a 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


95 


remedy, and I think I have found it in homoeo- 
pathy — Simile similia curat. Answer me ; if you 
knew for a certainty that the pale maiden is the 
daughter of the Russian, and he had only brought 
her to Switzerland, here to seek the cure or relief of 
her indisposition, would you then put aside your 
sickly anxiety ? 

“ How can you doubt it. Max? Assuredly I should 
still feel within me a sentiment of pity for her; 
I should often think of the poor girl who has made 
upon me so deep an impression — but why should 
she absorb my mind entirely if I were satisfied she 
did not need my assistance ? When I ascertain she 
is not the victim of a terrible oppression, my imagi- 
nation will no longer need to conjure up phantoms, 
and I shall become calm and joyful, and be able to 
enjoy with you the beauties of Alpine nature.” 

“ Very well, this is settled,” cried Max, as he 
rose. "We will order a beefsteak here ; then at five 
o'clock we will dine and sup together, so that there 
will still remain for us some hours of leisure.” 

" What do you intend to do ?” asked Herman, as- 
tonished. 

"We are going to seek the Russian. I wish, 
if possible, to bring about to-day some twenty en- 
counters with his companion. In this way the 
lively impression she has made upon you will be 
blunted by force of repetition. Moreover, if we 
knew where they were lodging, then I would try — 
I, not you — to find out what relation they bear to 
each other. If it came to the point, I would en- 


96 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


quire of the Russian himself — be it understood with 
all imaginable politeness — the explanation of his 
strange conduct with regard to us. In a word, I 
wish to solve the mystery that is tormenting you.'' 

“ Could you succeed, you would be rendering a 
service both to yourself and me." 

‘‘Yes, Herman, but there is a condition attached. 
I know you, you appear as gentle as a lamb, but 
you lack necessary calmness. You might, in a 
moment of irritation, threaten or insult the Rus- 
sian. I am responsible for us both ; you must 
promise me that in any case you will keep quiet, 
and will do nothing, either by word or look, that 
may wound these people in the least, who are 
strangers to us." 

“ I promise you." 

“ Follow me, then, and leave all to me," 

They went down stairs and ordered two beef- 
steaks. 

While waiting. Max Rapelings opened Baedeker's 
guide-book and began looking for the names of 
Hotels at Unterseen and Interlaken, as well as the 
situation of the walks and places where he could 
hope to meet the Russian and the pale maiden ; for 
he did not doubt they would go, like other travelers, 
to visit what was most remarkable in these valleys. 

As soon as they were served, they made haste to 
satisfy their appetites, then left the hotel. 

“ Now let us first go to Unterseen," said Max 
Rapelings, as they walked along. “ Maybe, it really 
was their carriage you saw stop. When the mind 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


97 


and nerves are excited up to such a point, one 
arrives intuitively at remarkable conclusions, which 
are not unlike those known in magnetism as second 
sight. But though we may now be pursuing a par- 
ticular intention, there is no reason why we should 
remain insensible or blind to the beauties of nature. 
As we are walking about, we will utilize it to see 
Interlaken in its every detail. What an admirable 
and enchanting situation, isn’t it ? Surrounded on 
every side by mountains, which reach to the ski^s, 
bare rocks and green slopes, and placed in a basin, 
where the soil develops a power of vegetation very 
uncommon ; and this Paradise, bathed by two of the 
most beautiful lakes in Switzerland, seems to touch 
the feet of the gigantic and sparkling Jungfrau.” 

“ Happy the man who can end his days here ! ” 
said Herman. 

“ No, no ; on the contrary,” said Max, “ death 
can but be bitter here. What sorrow must be felt 
at having to separate oneself forever from all these 
beautiful things? The more death robs us of, the 
sadder is his coming. But why, by all that’s good, 
should we be speaking of d'^ath now in the midst 
of a nature overflowing with life and strength ? Be 
then a little gayer, Herman, out of friendship for me.” 

“ But I am gay, my good Max. When I speak 
with you a short time about the wild ideas that agi- 
tate me, I feel that I become stronger. It is like a 
balm which spreads over my breast, and refreshes 
my mind. See ! there is the Aar ; from the top of 
that bridge we can see ourselves in its blue waters.” 

4 


98 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


It looks as if soap had been melted in it. Blue 
without being blue — a color like those pearls made 
of milky glass. That water comes from the lake 
of Brienz, and empties into the lake of Thun. 
Come Herman, let us not lose too much time ; and 
moreover, to watch running water is not good for 
dreamy people.'' 

They crossed the second bridge, and came to 
Unterseen. There they walked for a long time be- 
fore the hotels and boarding-houses, trying to see 
through the walls, but discovered nothing to make 
them imagine those they were searching for were 
within. 

Max even questioned some peasants as to 
whether they had seen at Unterseen an old gentle- 
man in company with a pale young girl ; but the 
only reply was a shrug of the shoulders and un- 
satisfactory replies. 

** Come ! let us go back," said Herman, ** they are 
not here." 

I believe it, indeed," replied Max ; but before 
leaving Unterseen, at least pay attention to what is 
around you. See, Herman, those Swiss houses all 
built of wood, showing so much taste with their 
lively colors, so gay that they look like summer 
houses. The balconies and galleries are so delicate 
and aerial, that it seems doubtful they could bear 
the weight of a man. And those flowers — what 
variety of colors; and ornaments carved on each 
piece of wood. Oh ! how free and happy must the 
hearts of the Swiss be, to enable them to vie with 


THE LOST GLOVE. 99 

the allurements of this Alpine nature, not only in 
grandeur, but also in elegance ! 

“ Charming, charming ! ” ejaculated Herman, 
yet I prefer those old houses over there ; they are 
also artistically built, but time has covered them 
with deep brown tints, and they seem to one to har- 
monize better with the surrounding nature than the 
newer ones, dainty and ornamented, which have 
been built here for the use of strangers.” 

“ What you now say, Herman, proves conclu- 
sively that objects are not seen with the eye, but 
with the soul. You are melancholy, therefore find 
beauty in what is black and sombre. I have a 
lighter heart, so admire what is light and gay, like 
my temper. Let us go now ; we may meet the pale 
stranger during our walk under the great chestnuts.” 

“ A thought has come to me that has often made 
me reflect,” said Herman. ‘‘There are eminent 
sculptors and painters in this world, their works 
sometimes astonish by their character of grandeur 
— and they certainly deserve our admiration. But 
have you never found that an old work of art, or 
even a more modern sketch, however imperfect it 
may be, fastens itself upon our minds and fixes our 
attention, for the very reason that it is defective or 
seems defective? Why is this? I cannot tell. We 
saw at Ghent, Brussels, and Paris, magnificent 
buildings entirely complete from an artistic point 
of view, but was the impression produced upon us 
as deep and as pleasant as that of the frame houses 
at Unterseen? ” . 


100 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


** Heaven be praised ! you are becoming sensible,” 
cried Max, with real joy ; ” keep on, and we shall 
still have some pleasure in our trip.” 

‘‘You know perfectly. Max, that when talking 
one becomes exercised in controlling the thoughts 
that assail one. I already feel stronger.” 

‘‘ Suppose you meet the pale maiden ? ” 

“ Ah ! that would probably agitate me anew ; but 
if I could see her for a long while — if you could 
discover who they may be, and the mysterious veil 
is lifted ”— 

“ Well, let us walk a little faster then ; I see a red 
shawl over there under the chestnuts. Who knows 
but it may be she ? ” 

“ No, no ! you are mistaken. Max. This person 
is old, and is playing with a child.” 

“The devil, Herman! you see far. You are 
right ; it is not she. No matter, we will know how 
to find her. Interlaken is not larger than the small- 
est village in Flanders, and it is impossible one 
should not meet twenty times a day.” 

They walked up and down before the hotels for 
a long time, and looked about in every direction ; 
met hundreds of tourists, and every known lan- 
guage in the world resounded in their ears, but 
saw no one that resembled the Russian and his pale 
companion. 

Max Rapelings became silent for some moments, 
and kept his eyes fixed upon the ground as if he 
had given up all idea of renewing his search. 

“ How is this, my good Max ?— are you in your 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


lOI 


turn going to dream ? In that case there must be 
mutual recrimination. Let us return to the hotel, 
and may God dispose according to His will as to 
the young girl's destiny." 

‘‘You are a strange fancy-monger," replied Max, 

I in a tone of raillery. “ I have never felt in a better 
humor, and if I am to keep up the gayety for both, 
I feel quite equal to the task. That is not it; but 
the question you proposed to me just now, which is 
running through my mind." 

“ What question ? " 

“ Why does a simple work of art, though defec- 
tive, produce upon us sometimes a deeper impres- 
sion, and one that is more agreeable, than the best 
work of a master? Your problem is a difficult one 
to solve, but I believe I have done so. What we 
seek in a work of art is the language of another 
man's soul. When we contemplate it, what do we 
see there? We know so great a height cannot be 
reached by force of will alone, we know the artist's 
talent is due in a great measure to assiduous study 
— in a word, the academy, the school, the dominant 
style, are not strangers to the result obtained. We 
therefore comprehend we do not owe it to one man 
alone, but to a portion of all humanity. But a sim- 
ple work of art, were its author a carpenter or a 
blacksmith, when it bears a certain stamp, is the ex- 
pression of a single individual — it is the outpouring, 
the expression of a single soul — and this is why we 
recognize a great personality, and feel our innermost 
and most hidden chords touched ; for each man 


102 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


comes into the world in the rough,— education, 
science, the — but, dear me, I am becoming confused 
with my own pedantry, as if it were a tangled skein 
of thread. What nonsense I have just been talking! 
it makes my head spin. Are these reflections to be 
made in Switzerland, with one's eyes fastened on the 
queen of mountains — the incomparable Jungfrau?” 

“ Let us speak of something else.” 

‘‘Yes, yes, I descend from my vaporous sky. 
But there, I don't know how many times we have 
walked up and down this place without meeting the 
Russian and his companion. We must conclude 
something from it.” 

“That they are not at Interlaken?” 

“ Not exactly, Herman, but I conclude that since 
we do not meet them on the promenade, we should 
seek them elsewhere. Come, let us go into this 
shop, and buy some alpenstocks.” 

“ Alpenstocks ? Why ? ” 

“The Russian must be upon the Jungfrau; let us 
follow him there. Don't look at me so stupidly, 
but listen. I have read in Baedeker that there is 
somewhere on the top a hotel ‘Vue de la Jungfrau,' 
and there also are found fine and extensive prome- 
nades. You may observe this from here. They are 
perhaps at the Hotel Ober, where we will stop as 
we go along. At any rate, I see that nearly all the 
tourists, men as well as women, and even the chil- 
dren, walk with alpenstocks. This lends firmness, 
and moreover, makes it appear one has already 
climbed all the mountains in Switzerland.” 


THE LOST GLOVE. IO3 

Some moments later they left the shop, each one 
carrying a stick seven feet long, as thick as a 
broom-handle, with a steel spike at the end. This 
stick is not only useful for ascending and descend- 
ing the mountains, but may be used as a weapon 
of defence. 

Max Rapelings took it in at once, for no sooner 
was he in the street than he began fencing at a tree, 
imitating what he had seen the lancers do in Bel- 
gium. Herman seized his friend’s stick to prevent 
his continuing. 

‘‘ Be done, Max, we will be mistaken for boys or 
collegians.” 

The young doctor, marching in advance, said 
gravely : 

“Boys or collegians? Why, are we not sro yet? 
Sweet spring-time of life, which is about to depart 
from us! We came to Switzerland, Herman, to 
leave our youth here; therefore, let us enjoy it for 
the last time in all its innocent guilelessness. On 
our return to Flanders, cares await us : the slavery 
of fashion, the being bound to all the requirements 
of a conventional world.” 

“ That is true. Max ; until then let us enjoy our 
youth, careless, credulous, and free in body and 
mind. But, to do this it is not necessary to enact 
a farce in the middle of the street, and give people 
a laugh at our expense.” 

“You fear, perhaps, she may see you? But 
don’t you observe, Herman, all the world become 
children here? Englishmen, Russians, Frenchmen, 


104 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


young and old, all laugh jubilantly and amuse 
themselves as if they had forgotten their age. I 
understand it perfectly. In the presence of this 
primitive nature the false varnish of convention- 
ality and ceremony leaves us without our being 
aware of it. Man regains his natural simplicity 
and his enjoyment of life. But great heavens! 
am I in my turn bewitched? I am beginning to 
repeat myself like an old pedant. A plague upon 
such foolish stuff! Forward to the mountain! 
The Russian has but to behave well, or I will nail 
him with my stick against a rock, where he will 
dry up into eternity like a butterfly pinned to a cork 
by some naturalist. No nonsense, do you hear, 
Herman? What I say of the Russian is but a sim- 
ple joke to make us laugh a little.*' 

They climbed the green hill and wandered 
through all the walks around the hotel of the “Vue 
de la Jungfrau,*’ and even asked a hotel-boy some 
questions about the pale maiden, but could not 
obtain the slightest intelligence. 

Then they returned to Interlaken, and again began 
their walk, finally directing their steps towards a 
large ornamented cottage, which was built in the 
middle of a garden and seemed to lean against 
some very steep rocks. 

Max had seen in his guide book that it was an 
establishment for the milk cure — where they cured, 
or tried to cure, invalids by making them drink 
enormous quantities of whipped milk. 

“You doctors are queer creatures,** said Herman, 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


lOS 

who seemed to be in a more playful mood. ** Each 
one of you knows some especial means for curing 
the most serious malady. One insists upon a 
great amount of food ; another orders a strict diet ; 
then cold water outwardly and inwardly applied is 
prescribed ; still another buries his patient in the 
mud, or insists upon his swallowing hundreds of 
pounds of grapes ; then a vapor-bath is considered 
life-giving, while another stakes everything on pow- 
ders, friction, or a hundred different prescriptions. 
Tell me, will you not also invent some mode of 
curing every one with pure water ; or with but one 
little bottle of some kind ?*' 

** Suppose I were to find that happy bottle ?” 
Then, Max, you think there are some remedies 
that are universal ?'* 

Yes, certainly, Herman.” 

And you don’t laugh while saying this ?” 

I am not laughing at all ; but the great diffi- 
culty yet is to find this unknown remedy. It may 
perhaps be discovered in magnetism.” 

“ Ah ! Max, for the love of heaven do not let 
us touch on magnetism, for the subject is without 
end. Do you know I am beginning to tire of run- 
ning so long after the Russian ?” 

“ He must be a sorcerer, Herman, and has become 
invisible. Much good may it do him ! I am no 
longer afraid of this bugaboo.” 

“ Well ! Max let us try our alpenstocks and climb 
up that mountain.” 

“ What are you going to do on those bare rocks 


I06 THE LOST GLOVE. 

without a guide? Do you desire to break your 
neck ? ” 

“There is a beaten path. If you are afraid of 
so little, I pity you.” 

“ Well, let us risk the adventure ; but be prudent, 
Herman, the place is unfamiliar to us ; don’t go and 
fall into the Aar.” 

He had climbed up on to a wooden bridge behind 
the Kurhaus, and come to the foot of an acclivity 
which was composed of bare rocks. A narrow 
path ran obliquely towards the top, and here and 
there in the dangerous places some wooden cross- 
bars had been built to serve as hand-rails. 

It was this acclivity that our Flemings undertook 
to climb. They puffed, and panted, cried out with 
terror, either real or affected, and looked with wide 
open eyes to the bottom, no doubt thinking to 
give a proof of their intrepidity. Later on as they 
continued their journey through Switzerland, they 
were to see and do many other things ; but so it is 
with travelers when they first set off, what at first 
makes them pale with terror is accomplished the 
next day while laughing at their timidity of the day 
before. 

Yet, Max and Herman climbed higher and higher, 
coming upon little patches of grass from time to 
time, where they seated themselves to rest and re- 
cover breath, having Interlaken beneath their feet 
and the Jungfrau before their eyes. They had 
strolled in this manner during an entire hour on the 
side of the mountain, when they stopped at about 


THE LOST GLOVE. IO7 

a thousand feet above Interlaken, which appeared to 
them placed at the bottom of a deep abyss. 

Suddenly the young lawyer asked, Max, don't 
you hear a strange grumbling under our feet ? It is 
as if chariots were rolling within the mountain.” 

I have been hearing it for some time,” replied 
Max, ‘‘ it may be the echo of distant avalanches ; 
you know the fall of the snows of which my uncle 
has told us so often. Hark ! that last sound is the 
loudest of all. Our mountain seems to shake in 
consequence. It may be thunder.” 

“Thunder, Max? — the sky is blue and transpar- 
ent.” 

“ Yes, but who knows whether in Switzerland it 
does not thunder when the sky is clear ? I think I 
have read this somewhere.” A still louder noise 
resounded in the distance. 

“ It is indeed thunder,” said Herman. 

“ Come, let us make haste down ; thunder on the 
mountain-top may become dangerous.” 

“ Oh ! oh ! what is the matter with you,” said 
Herman, laughing. “ Is it the influence of this 
beautiful nature that alarms you so ? The storm, 
if it be a storm, must be below — behind the moun- 
tain. It may still be twenty leagues away from us. 
Your uncle has told us of storms that burst in the 
depths of the valley while the spectator on the 
mountain has a blue sky over his head, and sees 
the lightning fork beneath his feet. I wish we 
could enjoy this spectacle.” 

“ It would suffice to make you forget all the 
Russians and all the pale maidens in the world.” 


I08 THE LOST GLOVE. 

I think so, Max ; it must be grand and thrill- 
ing. Will you go a little higher ? We may, per- 
haps, reach the summit of the mountain.’* 

‘‘ I consent ; let us make haste.” 

They seize their alpenstocks and begin climbing 
with redoubled energy. 

Insensibly, the claps of thunder become more 
distinct. Another broke with so much noise, the 
young men stopped in indecision. 

” The storm appears to be coming nearer,” said 
Max ; ‘‘ it would not be very pleasant to have it 
come down upon one’s head.” 

** Nonsense — the atmosphere is still as blue and 
pure as the lake of Thun,” said Herman. ‘'Are 
you afraid ? ” 

“ No ; but I am responsible for both of us. See 
there ! those gray horses in the sky running like 
locomotives above the summit of the mountain ! 
Let us get down quickly. We have had enough 
of such a scene. Heaven knows whether we will 
not roll down into the Aar, like sticks or stones.” 

They retraced their steps in the same path, and 
began running towards the bottom with all the 
haste in their power. In the beginning the descent 
was not dangerous, because the road was bordered 
on both sides by pines and shrubs ; but about four 
or five hundred feet above the Aar the mountain 
became bare and the path very steep. 

“ How lucky that you thought of buying alpen- 
stocks, for without them we would have been fine 
fellows,” said Herman. 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


109 


^*Yes; God himself must have inspired me with 
the prudence. But hush, Herman, and pay great 
attention to your feet. Listen! how it thunders be- 
hind us. The mountain seems shaken to its base. 
Good, now it begins to rain drops as large as a 
crown-piece. What sudden darkness ! ’’ 

Though pursued by thunder and lightning, they 
nevertheless reached the foot of the mountain with- 
out damage; but in the interval the storm had de- 
veloped and extended its frowning face over the 
valley, and as if all the cataracts in the heavens had 
opened to create another deluge, the rain fell so 
heavily that the entire valley soon bore the appear- 
ance of a large pond. 

Herman and Max ran across the bridge, passing 
before the Kurhaus. They were obliged to call to 
each other every instant, for night had come on, 
and heaven and earth were mingled together. 
Frightful claps of thunder resounded on all sides; 
the lightning broke through the clouds and illumin- 
ated the horizon with its dazzling brightness, when 
again the valley would once more be shrouded in 
impenetrable darkness. 

The poor Flemings sought refuge in their hotel, 
as wet as if they had come out of the Aar. Water 
fell in torrents from their clothes, and they did not 
even dare enter the reception-room, for fear of 
spoiling the carpets and chairs. 

“B-r-r-r! Jonah must have been like this when 
ejected by the whale upon the shore,'* cried Max, 
rubbing his eyes. “All is on a grand scale in 


no THE LOST GLOVE. 

Switzerland, even the rain. It rains rivers here. 
Herman, Herman, my friend, where are you ? Are 
you still alive ? 

I am floating in my clothes,” replied the young 
lawyer. ‘‘ What a bath ! I thought it only snowed 
in Switzerland ! ” 

‘‘ Do you suppose the Russian, like ourselves, 
has swallowed this cup of tea ? ” 

‘‘ Hold your tongue about your Russian ! My 
memory is drowned. I seem to be half melted.” 

While they were thus talking, the servants were 
occupied in divesting them of their wet garments. 

. They were advised to go up without delay. 
There was a stove in their room — a fire would be 
kindled, and what they required would be brought 
to them ; they had only to hang their clothes beside 
their door, and they would be carefully dried in the 
kitchen until the next day. 

They were scarcely five minutes in their room, 
when the stove, stuffed with dry wood, was already 
red hot and threw out great warmth. 

Max ordered a chicken and some tea for their 
supper. 

They were not hungry, and thought only of 
warming themselves at the stove. 

They at first laughed continually over the beau- 
tiful result of their first ascent, asking each other 
what they could possibly expect after such a begin- 
ning. But fatigue, and especially the heat of the 
stove, made them so sleepy that Max rose and said: 

“Come, I have no intention of playing' the part 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


Ill 


of a clothes -peg, and drying my clothes on my 
back; moreover, it is unwholesome, and lam a phy- 
sician. I shall take off everything, and slip between 
the sheets.” 

‘‘Hear, how it rains ! ” said Herman. 

“ Well, it gives me no concern : the sound of a 
pouring rain soothes one to sleep peacefully.” 

“ That is true — good night.” 


CHAPTER V. 


The next morning by nine the two young Flem- 
ings were seated in an open carriage on the road 
between Interlaken and Grindelwald. 

The weather was gray and hazy, and promised 
nothing good for that day. Objects were easily 
seen below, but at a certain distance and a cer- 
tain height everything was lost in an impenetrable 
cloud of fog. As to the high mountains, their sides 
could be distinguished, and the objects upon them 
to a height of a thousand feet, but their tops were 
lost in the clouds. 

Therefore, Herman and Max had no subject 
upon which to expend their enthusiasm. They 
gazed silently upon the torrent-like course of the 
Lutchine, as their road lay along its borders. This 
river, very much swollen by the rain of the day 
before, was but an uninterrupted succession ot 
seething and roaring cascades. Not that its flow, 
was precipitated by the sudden declivity of the 
ground, but because its bed was covered with 
masses of rock that had become detached from 
the neighboring mountains. Some of these rocks 
were as large as a house. The waters of the 
Lutchine in their impetuous course rebounded 
against these obstacles and dashed their flakes of 
spray as far as the shore ; its waves boiled, bub- 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


II3 


bled and thundered, forming giddy vortexes, as if 
they were endowed with human life, struggling 
with rage against the forces that endeavored to 
arrest them. 

“ What are you thinking of, Herman ?” asked the 
young doctor, noticing that his companion no 
longer observed the torrent, and contemplated with 
fixed attention the curtain of the carriage. 

“Of what was I thinking? in truth I do not 
know myself: — however, yes, I was saying to myself 
that it is evident the Lutchine had hollowed its 
own bed and probably even, all this valley, and I 
was wondering if all torrents and all streams had 
not likewise traced the beds in which they flow.** 

“ Now, this is strange,** exclaimed Max : “ could 
there be possibly between the minds of two good 
friends like ourselves a secret link something like 
magnetism ? ” 

“You only think of magnetism! Do you ex- 
pect to discover in it the universal panacea ? ** 

“ Who knows ? I look upon it, at any rate, as a 
powerful remedy against the ills of the mind and 
of the nerves.*’ 

“ Do you really give credence to the miracles at- 
tributed to magnetism ? You believe then, that 
a subject may, under certain circumstances, see 
through a wall with his eyes shut, or hear what is 
said fifty leagues away, or predict what may happen 
in a hundred years?** 

“ No, no ; I do not make to myself such illusions, 
but what cannot be denied is the secret sympathy 
4 * 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


1 14 

which exists between human beings and the influ- 
ence and power they may exercise upon each other 
by look or will. This power may some day be 
exercised with astonishing results in curing nervous 
diseases, if they are successful in discovering the 
laws that govern it. But let us speak no more of 
this. I only wished to say that, like yourself, at 
that moment I was asking myself if all rivulets 
and rivers did not hollow out their own beds and 
valleys.” 

“ There is only one thing against it,” objected 
Herman. “ If the terrestrial globe is supposed to 
have been entirely round at the period of the crea- 
tion, there could not then have been rivulets or 
rivers, since the water would not have found in the 
form of the earth any determining cause to take 
its course on one side more than the other.” 

“ That is true ; but you forget the attraction of 
the sun and moon.” 

“ What has this attraction to do with our prob- 
lem ? The action of the great celestial bodies upon 
our globe can only have the effect of attracting 
the waters, and not making them flow here and 
there, in torrents or in streams. But let us put 
aside this cosmological discussion — it dulls my 
brain.” 

‘‘ One must talk about something, Herman. Con- 
clude your argument. You suppose since the crea- 
tion there existed inequalities on the surface of the 
terrestrial globe ! ” 

‘‘ Yes.” 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


IIS 

“ You are mistaken. It sufficed that there should 
exist on the terrestrial globe a power capable of 
producing these inequalities, and in fact it is so. 
The interior of the earth is nothing but a mass of 
metals in fusion — by the force of expansion this 
centre has been producing in all time, and still pro- 
duces, rises and falls which first gave their direc- 
tion to the flow of the waters ; then came the con- 
stant erosion of the shore by the streams and 
rivers, and especially the perturbative action of the 
water when after violent tempests it is precipitated 
roaring and broken from the mountain heights. I 
fancy the Lutchine once had a bed which was very 
narrow some thousand feet above its present one, 
and that in the course of centuries it hollowed out 
the valley where it now flows.” 

The coachman, seated in front of us, who up to 
this time had driven his horses in silence, turned his 
head around. 

He was a man well on in years, whose hair was 
becoming grey ; he had evidently listened with pro- 
found attention to our two Flemings, for he said in 
German : 

‘‘ Excuse my presumption ; the gentlemen have 
forgotten the work of the glaciers or seas of ice.” 

”You understand our language?” cried Max, 
with astonishment. 

‘‘The gentlemen were speaking Danish or Han- 
overian,” replied the coachman. “ I was a guide in 
my youth, and for several months traveled over 
Switzerland with two Danish professors who were 


Il6 THE LOST GLOVE. 

making a collection of simples and minerals from 
the Alps. Their language was not exactly like 
yours, but resembled it greatly. In your conversa- 
tion I distinguished German words, and others that 
belonged to the Swiss dialect.'' 

“ We are speaking Flemish, the language of 
Flanders, my good man." 

Indeed ! Are the Flemings perhaps, a branch 
of the great German Fatherland ?" 

‘‘Judging by language, most assuredly so; but 
we are an independent people like the Swiss, and, 
like them, wish to remain so. Why, my friend, 
did you say we had forgotten the glaciers and moun- 
tains of ice ? You then understood us ? " 

“ Not altogether, sir ; but I at least understood 
the subject of the conversation. You have proba- 
bly not yet seen the glaciers or ice-seas. Visit but 
one, and you will be convinced that their work 
alone has sufficed to hollow out all the valleys, 
however deep they may be. This was the idea of 
the Danish professors. They think that formerly 
all Switzerland was but one immense glacier, and I 
have heard them discuss the question long and 
seriously." 

They were now approaching the spot where the 
furious torrent was to divide into two arms. 

The coachman explained to the travelers that the 
arm they were about to take as far as Lauterbrun- 
nen was called the White Lutchme, while the other, 
which had its source at first in the glaciers of the 
Grindelwald, bore the name of the Black Lutchine, 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


II7 

which was due to the fact that its waters by dint of 
carrying along broken slate become in their course 
dusky and slimy. 

“ Gentlemen,” he continued, ‘‘ it is to be regretted 
you have not had better weather ; the fog limits the 
view and makes everything look gray, otherwise 
you might here have admired some of the finest 
views in Switzerland — at least, this is what has been 
told me by painters twenty times when I ac- 
companied them to this spot, or when I have 
driven in my carriage to the Lauterbrunnen and the 
Grindelwald; but in this misty weather there is little 
to see.” 

“ What is that deep black opening between two 
formidable elevations? ” asked Max. 

** It is a gorge or crevasse between two moun- 
tains, thousands and thousands of feet high. The 
White Lutchine flows at the bottom.” 

‘'Are we to pass that way ?” 

“ Yes, sir, as far the Lauterbrunnen; but don’t be 
uneasy, it is a good and beautiful road.” 

Hardly had they entered the gloomy gorge 
of the mountain when Herman, who was very 
pensive until now, was awakened from his reverie 
by strange sounds, which seemed to resound among 
the clouds like aerial music. There was something 
so plaintive in these mysterious accents that the 
young lawyer seemed agitated, and looked fixedly 
at his friend, who began laughing at him with an 
air of irony. 

“Well, then, what? Are you going to begin 


Ii8 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


again?*' said he. “You think, perhaps, the pale 
maiden is languishing above our heads. Good ! 
She is at Interlaken, seated in front of an excellent 
breakfast ; and unless the Russian be really running 
after us, there is no danger of our ever meeting that 
heretical sorcerer. The sounds you hear are only 
the echoes of the famous Alpine horns. Did not 
my uncle mention them often enough?” 

“ What strange, sad music ! ” sighed Herman, “ it 
sounds like the last agonizing cry of the dying.” 

“ This again proves it is not only our ears, but our 
minds that perceive sounds, and each mind perceives 
them according to its own interpretation. These 
strains sound to me like a celestial song, as if the 
choir of angels were exchanging mutual salutations, 
above the gray clouds and the fog. Hark ! the 
sounds are becoming more distinct, and I fancy I 
see the youth who is blowing the Alpine horn. 
But what strange creature is there standing, seated, 
or lying beside him? A young bear’s cub or a 
gnome ? This is the land of gnomes ; my book 
calls them bergntanleinr 

“ I think it is a man without legs they are exhib- 
iting for money,” said Herman. 

“ Heavens ! what a happy accident ! ” exclaimed 
the young doctor. 

“A happy accident! what do you mean?” 

“ It is a malady much dwelt upon in our studies ; 
but one has to come to Switzerland to see except- 
tionally good cases ; this gnome is an idiot with a 
goitre — a beautiful one, be assured of that.” 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


1 19 

Is it perchance your mind, which through sym- 
pathy finds this monster admirable and beautiful ? 
For in that case you must be somewhat ugly inter- 
iorly.” 

“ Ah ! you are beginning to jest, my dear Her- 
man. Hurrah ! the weather will become fine, per- 
haps ; but now I cannot wait. I would not give up 
my goitred man for a hundred francs. He — coach- 
man, stop that I may alight.” 

Beside the poor idiot stood a young boy, who 
was blowing his Alpine horn so violently that his 
face swelled out like a leather bottle, and his eyes 
looked as if ready to jump out of their sockets. 
The plaintive tones which he drew from his instru- 
ment reverberated from mountain to mountain until 
lost in the distance, so far over head as if seeming 
to come from heaven its*elf. 

Herman, who had also left the carriage, took the 
Alpine horn from the little boy’s hand to examine 
the rough instrument nearer. It was a curved horn 
five or six feet long, made of wood or the bark of a 
tree. 

During this time Max Rapelings was occupied in 
passing the goitred man under inspection. The 
poor wretch was about fifty years of age, for his 
hair was quite gray. He had a broad, thick head, 
a large mouth, and swollen lips; his hands also 
were puffed, and of a bluish color ; his legs were 
very short — so much so that when seated he ap- 
peared standing; his eyes rolled about without a 
sparkle of intelligence as to whether he had a 
consciousness of his own life. 


120 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


Herman shuddered with disgust and pity. As for 
Max Rapelings, he did nothing but walk round the 
idiot, examining him before and behind, taking his 
hands in his, and feeling his terrible goitre. He 
spoke to him several times, and endeavored to ob- 
tain from him some articulate sound ; but all he 
could get, after long effort, was a dull kind of growl 
like some wild beast one torments. 

“ Come, come. Max, you disgust me,'* muttered 
the young lawyer, drawing his friend towards the 
carriage : “ I have given the youth a gratuity — let 
us hasten away from this sad spectacle of human 
misery.** 

When once again seated in the vehicle, and it had 
begun to move, Herman said with a sigh, 

“ We are not happy this morning. Switzerland, 
too, has its dark as well as its bright days.** 

But the sight of this idiot is worth a whole 
day’s travel for me,** replied Max. 

“ These doctors ! these doctors ! — they feel and 
pinch a horrible piece of flesh like a butcher who 
goes to market to buy an ox. I hope you will 
wash your hands in the first water we come to. I 
scarcely like to sit beside you.** 

“ It becomes you to speak sir lawyer ! What we 
do materially you do morally. When you visit an 
assassin in prison, and concert with him as to the 
best means to induce a jury to regard him as white 
as snow, what do you call that? It is the business 
of one’s profession, an exceptional duty that belongs 
to it.” 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


I2I 


‘‘You are right, Max; I hold my tongue. My 
good man tell me, are there many idiots in the 
country? asked the young doctor of the coachman. 

“ No sir, thanks be to God ! these unfortunates 
are becoming rare in Switzerland — formerly it was 
otherwise. In the Canton of the Valais there could 
be found one cretin for every twenty-five of the in- 
habitants ; in the other cantons there never were 
many, and their number is diminishing all over 
Switzerland. This wretched trouble is engen- 
dered in the dark, deep, damp, valleys; for the 
children born and brought up on the mountains 
are never subject to it.'’ 

“ We are approaching the Lauterbrunnen, gentle- 
men. Are you still in the same mind to go to the 
Grindelwald, by the Wengern Alp?” 

“ It is our plan.” 

“ You may regret it, gentlemen. If the weather 
were clear I would not dissuade you ; on the con- 
trary, it is from the top of the little Scheideck and 
the Wengern Alp better than elsewhere, one 
may see at this advanced season avalanches of 
snow ; but the weather makes the pleasure impossi- 
ble. Besides the woods, the valleys, the summit of 
the mountains will remain covered with snow, and 
you yourselves gentlemen will feel you are en- 
veloped by a cloud on every side. Therefore you 
would see nothing, or very little, and you will have 
become uselessly fatigued on a road over which the 
journey would require no less than eight hours.” 

“ What then do you advise my friend ? ” 


122 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


‘‘ The simplest and wisest thing, gentlemen, is to 
dine at the Lauterbrunnen, to visit the Staubbach 
and then drive to the Grindelwald in the carriage. 
If you have resolved upon it, you might make the 
ascent of the Wengern Alp to-morrow on the side 
of the Grindelwald.” 

‘‘ But we would then have to remain all day in 
the carriage,” said Herman; ‘^this is annoying, I 
should like to walk.” 

** Well, sir, there is one way of satisfying you. I 
will take you back to the bridge of the two Lut- 
chines, and from there you can go to the Grindel- 
wald on foot, by way of a walk. It would occupy 
about three hours, and be quite sufficient to satisfy 
your desire for walking.” 

The Flemings determined to follow their coach- 
man’s advice. The prospect of taking an eight 
hours’ climb in the fog, of seeing nothing, and per- 
haps being drenched as they were the day before, 
did not entice them, and made them give it up. 

‘‘ Will the gentlemen visit the Staubbach before 
or after dinner ? ” asked the coachman. 

Before dinner, if we still have time,” replied 
Max. 

** There will, I think, be time enough, gentlemen. 
The Staubbach is only about ten minutes from the 
hotel. Will you allow me to be your guide ? ” 
Certainly ; it will give us pleasure.” 

** Have the goodness then to go into the hotel 
while I change my horses. They sell excellent 
Kirschwasser and good wine there. I will come 
and notify you.” 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


123 


The carriage stopped before the hotel of the 
Steinbock (Wild Goat). The Flemings entered and 
ordered a glass of kirsch (cherry water). The 
Swiss give this name to their brandy, because it is 
distilled with fermented cherries. 

The coachman now came to say he was at their 
orders to go and view the Staubbach. 

They walked for some time between the huts of 
peasants, on the border of a narrow valley, which, 
in clear weather, must have been very picturesque ; 
but just now, was in a great part hidden beneath a 
gray fog — for sunlight, the life, and soul of nature, 
was wanting. 

Suddenly and unexpectedly they came upon the 
Staubbach, of which their Baedeker spoke as being 
one of the marvels of Switzerland. It did not, 
however, make much impression upon them, and 
they looked at each other as if asking : 

‘‘ Is this all?” 

The coachman, who saw disappointment in their 
faces, gave them the following explanation : 

“ Yes, gentleman, the day is most unfavorable for 
the Staubbach. Observe that the rock rises per- 
pendicularly, and even hangs over. The rivulet 
that flows from there has a fall of nine hundred 
and fifty feet, and you may say you are probably 
contemplating the highest cascade in the world. 
But without the sun, nothing is beautiful. Come 
here on a fine morning, and you will see every 
color of the rainbow reflected in the silver surface 
of the river. If it blows, the rivulet floats here and 


124 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


there over the rock like an immense silken ribbon, 
or else winds like a serpent, or waves through 
the air and is resolved into mist before touching 
the ground, watering its surroundings with a rain 
of sparkling drops.” 

The friends remained some time before this wa- 
terfall of nearly a thousand feet. If they did not 
find it broad and torrent-like, they fancied the point 
of view which they enjoyed here was sufficiently 
magnificent and extraordinary to repay them for 
their little excursion to the Lauterbrunnen. 

On returning to the hotel a little boy came to 
meet them with a small cannon mounted upon a 
piece of wood ; he placed the cannon on the ground 
and set it off about ten feet away from the travelers. 

The report rebounded against the wall of rocks 
and from there to the mountains on the opposite 
side; every irregularity, every crevice and abyss, re- 
turned a distant echo. It seemed as if a hundred 
discharges of cannon followed each other without 
stopping, until the last echo faded away. 

‘‘ Give a fqw batz to the boy gentlemen ; it is his 
only way of earning his bread.” 

Hardly had they left the little cannoneer behind 
when another child came out of a hut with a mar- 
mot in his arms. 

They examined the little animal for awhile, 
which in shape resembled a hare somewhat fore- 
shortened, with paws which are used as hands. 
‘‘ They are found,” said the driver, ‘‘ on the heights 
of snowy mountains.” 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


I2S 


This again cost them some pence. Their hands 
were still in their pockets when a little girl came 
and offered them a little white flower, which, 
according to the guide grows upon the most inac- 
cessible summits, so that it is looked upon as very 
rare, for one must risk breaking one’s neck to 
gather it. 

“ I was told, my good man, there were no beg- 
gars in Switzerland,” observed Max. 

“ They are not actual beggars,” replied the coach- 
man ; “ on the route of travel everywhere you will 
find little boys and girls, and even men, who blow 
the Alpine horn, while offering you fruits and 
flowers, exhibiting marmots or chamois ; but if you 
go along without giving them anything, it is certain 
you will not be importuned; and indeed, what mat- 
ters it to travelers’ that they should give a few batz 
(cents) to poor people ?” 

They reached the hotel and went in. The meal 
was served, and as on that day owing to the u«nfa- 
vorable weather there were only five or six visitors 
at the Lauterbrunnen, they had awaited our two 
friends before seating themselves at the table. 

A full hour later. Max Rapelings and Herman 
Van Borgstal were again seated in their carriage to 
return to Zweilutzchinen, where begins the road 
leading to the Grindelwald. 

The weather had begun to clear, the narrow val- 
ley was much lighter, and the fog had lifted along 
the mountains. 

What now called their attention was something 


126 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


very astonishing for those who inhabit a flat 
country. They beheld at intervals, against the high 
ridge of mountains, in the crevasses, and even be- 
tween the trees, a small volume of smoke, rising like 
a feather — so thin and light — that when Max no- 
ticed it for the first time he exclaimed : 

One would say, upon my word, that that peak 
over there was smoking its pipe.” 

But the little volume of smoke extended by de- 
grees, becoming a dense heavy vapor ; then, as if 
instinct with a mysterious life, it began rolling to- 
wards the declivities, rising and falling, transform- 
ing itself in a hundred ways, and finally like a real 
cloud mounting upward to the skies, where, scat- 
tered by some invisible force, it vanished into air, 
without leaving behind a trace of its existence. 

They soon observed the same phenomena in 
twenty different places, and as this strange spectacle 
drew from them exclamations of surprise, the coach- 
man said : 

“ What you see, gentlemen, is the effect of sun 
and heat on the fog. Things are brightening, per- 
haps it may be clear to-morrow.” 

“Not to-day?” asked Herman. 

“To-day you may now and then see the sun 
through a break in the clouds, at any rate for a 
couple of hours ; but later in the evening, when the 
air grows cooler, you will see the same mantle of 
fog descend.” 

The coachman turned towards his horses. 

“A lesson in meteorology, such as we received 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


127 


here/* said Max to his companion, “ no professor 
of physics could give us. Clouds are formed and 
dispelled under our eyes, as if we had paid them to 
discover to us the history of their formation.** 

“That is true,’* said Herman ; “ see the one over 
there turning and twisting, like a snake. Now, it 
has disappeared altogether. Where did it go ? ’* 

“ I understand it perfectly. Yonder, in the sky, 
we see the clouds. What are these clouds? Hu- 
midity — watery vapor; is not that it ? Here, in the 
valley, it is naturally very damp in consequence of 
yesterday*s rain ; we feel this. But the fogs are in- 
visible to us, because the warmth of the soil disinte- 
grates them, and makes them lose their density. The 
play of clouds, which astonishes us, is only an ef- 
fect of heat and cold. If a cold current of air crosses 
the suspended fogs, they draw closer together, and 
become visible to our eyes under the form of 
clouds ; then, if a warmer current arises, which 
comes in contact with them, they become once 
again invisible by melting away. I think the sun 
must be shining behind the mountains which sur- 
round us, if only at intervals. Its heat produces 
the fog in the atmosphere, which moves without 
our perceiving it. See, see ! What did I say ? Over 
there, at the end of that narrow chain of mountains, 
the valley is suffused with a ray of brilliant light — 
off with your hat, salute its sweet light. The great 
painter is before us.’* 

“ This does the heart good,** said Herman. “ In 
this gray light and cloudy sky one would become 
homesick.** 


128 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


“ Driver, be good enough to stop,” cried Max, a 
little further on. ” You may return to Interlaken; 
we will get out here and walk about. The scenery 
is magnificent.” 

** Did I not say so, gentlemen ? In the mat- 
ter of landscape and scenes for the painters, noth- 
ing can probably be found finer in Switzerland. 
Don’t forget you are to go over there across the 
wooden bridge. You cannot lose your way, it 
leads to the Grindelwald. Farewell, gentlemen ; I 
thank you, and wish you a pleasant journey.” 

The Flemings were now on foot, alpenstock in 
one hand and a small bundle grasped in the other. 

It seemed to Max Rapelings as if only now his 
journey in Switzerland had fairly begun, and 
indeed he was not mistaken. In the steam-cars, 
steamboat, and carriage, one does not travel ; but 
alone, free, without a guide, far away from inquisi- 
tive interference — walking in the midst of this gen- 
ial nature — stopping, picking up stones, gathering 
flowers — sitting down, getting up again, and discuss- 
ing what one sees, laughing and talking — this is 
traveling: this is living. 

Hardly had they walked ten minutes, with long 
pauses, gazing around in every direction, than 
they reached a spot so picturesque that simultan- 
eously they lifted their arms up to heaven in a trans- 
port of admiration. 

They were not far from a rock, which their eye 
could not measure the height of without causing a 
vertigo. In a narrow cleft of this mountain fell a 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


129 


cascade, which shone under the sun’s rays as if a 
spring of liquid silver were escaping from the bosom 
of the earth. 

The water course, before reaching the foot of the 
mountain, flowed with a soft murmur between 
blocks of veined marble, among which were many 
time had adorned with moss. A little beyond this 
picturesque source the mountain was covered with 
all kinds of vegetation growing amphitheatrically — 
trees, flowers, shrubs, which rising cme above the 
other to an immense height, had the appearance of 
being painted on the rock, for it seemed incompre- 
hensible that roots could have struck there. 

Yet this was not the spectacle that had so filled 
our travelers with admiration. The waterfall as it 
descended spread around, according to the direc- 
tion of the wind, a spray of water which, assisted by 
the rays of the sun, developed in this spot a won- 
derful degree of vegetation. In the neighborhood 
of the murmuring rivulet, and at some distance 
around all was green, and of a green so delicate, so 
fresh and pure, one could not satiate one’s eyes 
with the sight of this charming coloring ; here and 
there on a carpet of finer turf lay blocks of granite 
detached from the sides of the mountain, but the 
vitality of this nature was so powerful that even 
upon these rocks, the plants and trees of the most 
diverse kinds displayed their brilliant leafage as if 
this moist air alone sufficed to feed them. 

** What a Paradise,” exclaimed Herman. In our 
childhood we were told about enchanted gardens. 

5 


130 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


The imagination of the poets however did not reach 
what we see here. Come Max, let us sit down 
awhile near this babbling water.* 

“ I was just about making the same proposal,** 
said the young doctor, let us engrave this beauti- 
ful nature on our minds in a way that is inefface- 
able.** 

They walked across the grass and seated them- 
selves by the border of the stream, on a large 
stone, which the moss had turned into a soft green 
cushion. They both watched for a little while the 
seething water in the diminutive gulfs, but Max 
could not keep silent. 

** Well ! Herman,** he said, let us talk a little ; 
emotion communicated to another becomes stron- 
ger and is imprinted more deeply on the memory.** 
‘‘No Max, I beg of you do not disturb the tran- 
quil pleasure, with which my soul is overflowing. 
It seems to me I could sit here for an entire year. 
Life in such a spot can only be a long, sweet, dream.** 
“ Very well ! stay where you are, as to myself 
when I am excited I cannot keep quiet. I shall 
walk about this celestial garden.** 

As he said this Max went slowly away step by 
step, now scraping the rock with the point of his 
knife, now gathering a flower from its stalk, further 
along collecting some colored stones. As he was 
returning to the rivulet he descried from afar a 
yellow object which seemed to stand out as if 
detached from the turf Thinking to have come upon 
a rare stone, he walked in that direction and picked 
it up. 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


I3I 

While examining it as he turned it over in his 
hands, a strange smile broke over his lips. He re- 
turned to his friend and cried out to him from afar. 

“ Herman, it seems we are not the first that this 
enchanting spot has attracted. There are ladies 
who come to meditate here, ladies young and old — 
no doubt English ladies, for see, what long and 
slender fingers ! and yet the hand of a child ! unless 
the nymphs of the mountain hold their nocturnal 
rambles here — but it is scarcely credible the fashion 
of yellow gloves has reached the spirit land.'* 

Herman, struck with a secret presentiment, 
jumped up and took the yellow glove from the 
hands of his friend. 

** Heavens ! " he cried, ‘‘ it is her glove.” 

‘‘ What is taking possession of you ? Her glove ! 
Whose glove ?” 

Hers — the pale maiden ! ” 

“You are mad. Do you suppose the pale maiden 
spends all her time losing her gloves ? ” 

“ You may say what you please. Max, it is the 
same glove I picked up at Berne near the bear-pit. 
Oh ! I am not mistaken.” 

Max Rapelings laughed aloud. 

“ At a glove factory, don't all yellow gloves look 
alike? Think you, in the entire world, the pale 
maiden is the only one with tapering fingers? 
Your imagination carries you too far. I think this 
time you must be laughing at me.” 

“ No, no. Max ; this is one of her gloves, do not 
doubt if’ 


132 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


** And she is at Interlaken ! Has the Russian, 
perchance, made a compact with the devil, and sent 
this glove here by magic to cause our overthrow ? 
The thing begins to look serious.” 

‘‘ Whether it be sorcery or not, it is her glove.” 

“ Come now, this is childishness. At all costs, 
let us put behind us the Russians of hell and the 
temptations of the devil.” 

As he said this, he hurled from him the glove as 
far as possible into the river. 

Herman uttered a cry of anger, and ran stum- 
bling over the stones with his feet in the water to 
seize it. He succeeded in doing so, brought it back 
with slow steps, put it in his pocket-book, and 
placed it in the inside pocket of his overcoat above 
his heart. 

He was no doubt somewhat ashamed of the 
strange emotion he had shown, for he said to his 
friend, who was laughing aloud in a mocking tone : 

“Why attach such importance to so simple a 
thing? We will probably never meet the pale 
maiden again. The glove will serve me as a sou- 
venir, It seems to me worth it. Up to this time 
the pale maiden has influenced all our journey.” 

“ Have a care, Herman ; are you not tempting 
the malice of the devil? With that bewitched 
glove over your heart, you will not have a mo- 
ment's peace. Who knows but what it is the pale 
stranger herself you have shut up in your pocket- 
book.” 

“Joke at my expense. Max — this will not prevent 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


133 


my keeping this memento with care. What I have 
experienced in the last few days only happens once 
in a lifetime.’* 

“ And when our home friends ask you what you 
have brought back from Switzerland, you will show 
them an old yellow glove that you found journey- 
ing along. I feel inclined to buy at the first town 
we reach a dozen yellow gloves with tapering 
fingers, and say they belonged to the Empress 
of the French.” 

** Let us continue our walk. Max, and cease your 
nonsense. You pick up stones enough along the 
borders of the rivulets to load a donkey with. Each 
one to his taste.” 

‘‘ Nothing could be better than this, my friend, if 
your head was not full of fancies,” replied Max, 
taking up his alpenstock. “ I am very willing to 
hold my tongue about that infernal glove, but on 
condition you keep in a good humor ; if it be oth- 
erwise, I will take your relic away from you by 
main strength, if I have to come to blows with you 
to get it.” 

** You shall see Max, the glove will not make me 
more melancholy ; yet I understand that yesterday’s 
rain and this morning’s gloomy weather have some- 
what dulled my spirits.” 

Well, let us speak no more of the glove, but 
rather what we see on the way, and let us try to be 
gay." 

They had entered the road leading to the Grin- 
delwald, and were walking quite fast. 


134 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


For some hours they looked around them and 
talked of the beauty of the landscape unfolding be- 
fore their eyes. The road they walked on was a 
gravelled one, running along the borders of the 
black Lutchine, which descended into the valley 
roaring and seething over a bed of crumbling rock. 

On the other border of the Lutchine, and from 
the very bed itself, rose mountains as high as the 
skies, which impeded the view like a gigantic wall. 
On the side where our travelers were, it was other- 
wise; occasionally they came upon verdant fields 
and orchards planted in fruit trees. The walnut 
predominated. But at a short distance away from 
this arable land, the mountain also rose high to- 
wards the sky, sometimes bare, sometimes covered 
with pine trees growing amphitheatrically ; and 
from its rocky bed escaped here and there a stream 
of water which a short distance off appeared im- 
movable, and resembled a skein of white thread, 
hanging to the branches of a tree. 

As the coachman had predicted, the mist rose by 
degrees over the valley, and the summits of the 
mountains became invisible. 

At long intervals along the road our Flemings 
came upon peasant’s houses, whose strange shape 
attracted their attention, they crossed too, pretty 
villages, and saw men, women and children working 
in the fields, and it was with as much curiosity as 
pleasure, that they observed all these ways of life 
in Switzerland. 

Some time had now gone by without their ex- 


THE LOST GLOVE. 1 35 

changing any ideas. The road had become very 
rough, and the long ascent tired them. 

They sat upon the ground not far from a pointed 
rock which might have been a thousand feet 
high, and overhung so that its appearance made 
one shiver ! At its base were enormous blocks 
of stone which had become detached from the 
summit, making one think that some day or 
other the whole mountain might crumble into the 
narrow valley, crushing all beneath it. 

The sight of this threatening mountain doubtless 
vividly struck Hermanns imagination, for he mea- 
sured it with a fixed and obstinate gaze, and even 
paled under the dominion of some terrible thought. 

** You see, Herman,*’ said the young doctor, 
“ that nature works forever and ceaselessly at anni- 
hilating the mountains, and levelling the surface of 
the earth. When this end is attained, will not all 
existence upon our globe become impossible? 
Happily the volcanoes are there to ” — 

“ My God, it is frightful ! ” muttered Herman. 

“ What is frightful?” asked Max. “ Is the glove 
beginning to work ? What are you thinking about ?” 

How one’s imagination in the presence of this 
thriving nature may be carried away by fantastic 
images ! ” replied the young lawyer, with a some- 
what forced smile. I was saying to myself, if 
there were two people up there, and one of them 
gave the other a push — but a little push — what 
would become of the poor creature ? Nothing be- 
low would be found but unrecognizable remains, 
don’t you think so ? ” 


136 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


“ That is evident, Herman, since one would not 
fall here upon a mattress.'' 

“ This thought makes me shudder with horror." 

“ Yes, yes ! you are beginning to turn to the 
dark. Get up and let us go on with our walk ; it is 
not good for you to be here." 

They resumed their way, stopping quite often, 
and even entering an ale-house in the village of 
Berg4auenen to obtain a glass of wine. As the 
host proved himself quite communicative, and re- 
plied very obligingly to all their questions, they 
remained a long while talking with him about the 
marvels of nature of the country and the customs 
of Switzerland. 

They were so pleased with their reception at the 
ale-house, and the information received there, that 
they stopped at two other houses like it ; the time 
therefore seemed very short to them, and they saw 
with surprise that day was coming to a close. 

This decided them to make the last league in 
great haste, so that they arrived at the Grindelwald 
harassed, fatigued, and out of breath, just as night 
had set in. 

They entered the first hotel they came to, and fell 
into their seats before a table, where about a dozen 
guests were occupied eating their suppers. 

In spite of the fatigue they felt, they were de- 
lighted at being able to satisfy without delay an 
appetite sharpened by their long walk and the brisk 
mountain air. 

They therefore ate abundantly of every dish, 


THE LOST GLOVE. 1 37 

drank still another glass of good wine, after which 
they asked to be conducted to their room. 

The hotel was entirely constructed of the wood 
of the fir, and must have been quite new, for the 
walls of the chambers were bare. The floor 
cracked and gave way under the feet of the two 
friends, and when they found themselves in a room 
with two beds, and the servant had left them. Max 
raised the light, laughing, and exclaimed : 

“ Planks overhead and planks under one’s feet ; 
planks everywhere. We are living in a large cigar 
box. If this bird’s nest were to catch fire it would 
burn like straw, and we be roasted in less time than 
it takes to tell it.” 

Herman opened the window and exclaimed : 

“ Heavens ! I see a glacier — a sea of ice nearly 
in front of our door ; what a strange thing is this 
phosphorescent light which colors the glaciers with 
a thousand different tints ; but is it a glacier ?” 

” Do you doubt it, Herman ? Don’t you feel the 
air is frozen within ? B-r-r-r ! how cold it is — shut 
the window, I beg, otherwise we will have some 
terrible illness. There will be all day to-morrow to 
look at the glacier. Tell me, shall we be obliged to 
climb up there ? ” 

” Most probably your uncle did it. The air is cold, 
it is true — it makes me shudder. Max, is there no 
way of having a fire lighted here? ” 

”A fire in a match-box? You must be jesting!” 

** Then we will have to go to bed ; under the cov- 
ers at least one may get warm.” 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


138 

In less than two minutes the young lawyer was 
nestling under the covers, over which he had taken 
the precaution to spread all his clothes. 

‘‘Well, why do you remain seated at that table?*' 
he asked of his friend. 

“ I am going to begin by writing a letter home," 
replied Max. 

“ Nonsense, your fingers will be frozen." 

“Yes, Herman; but yesterday evening, after our 
enforced bath at Interlaken, we neglected to write. 
To fail once in our promise is excusable ; but two 
days hand-running, what would they think of us ? 

“ There is no post from the Grindelwald.** 

“ Sleep away, and let me alone ; I shall soon have 
finished." 

Max Rapelings began to write; it took him 
longer than he thought. Nothing astonishing in 
this, for he wished to describe with as much brevity 
as possible all that had struck them — the lake of 
Thun, the storm on the mountains, the Staubbach, 
and the Paradise in the valley of the Lutchine. De- 
scription after description lengthened his letter un- 
conscionably. 

When he was nearing the end, he wished to read 
a paragraph to his friend, relating to the yellow 
glove ; but he gave it up when he heard Herman’s 
heavy breathing. 

“ Happy fellow! " he muttered; “scarcely is he 
in bed than he is already asleep. So much the bet- 
ter; this proves the pale maiden no longer is run- 
ning in his mind. I must finish up my letter ; he 


THE LOST GLOVE. 1 39 

makes me jealous, and sleep is taking possession of 
my eyelids.** 

He sat down again, and began writing ; but sud- 
denly heard a violent cracking of the floor, and his 
friend*s voice in accents of despair. 

“ Max, Max ! save me, help ! quick ! the idiot, 
the Russian ! Oh, God ! too late — she is dead.** 
The young doctor hurried towards his friend, 
shook him roughly, and called him by name. 

Herman awakened, his brow covered with a cold 
sweat ; he looked around the room with an anxious 
air, and muttered: 

“ Heavens ! Max, such frightful dreams as these 
would turn my hair white in a single night.** 

‘‘ Be quiet,** said the young doctor. Take a 
mouthful of cold water, it will refresh you.** 

“ Heaven be praised. Max! it was only a dream; 
it is over — a sort of nightmare.** 

“ I understand what troubled your rest, my 
friend ; we probably supped too late and too abun- 
dantly.** 

“ If you knew. Max, what I dreamed — but no, 
you would only laugh at me.** 

So much the better, Herman. I would give 
fifty francs to be able to take a good laugh just now.’* 
Fancy it. Max ; I was walking on the crest of 
the rock, that overhanging rock, the very sight of 
which made me shudder during the whole of our 
walk. Suddenly I perceive near the extreme edge 
a man trying to drag a young girl towards the 
abyss. But the poor victim struggled and cried 


140 


THE LOST GLOVE. 


pitifully for help. Oh, horrors! it was the Russiar 
who was ^oing to precipitate the pale maiden from 
the summit of the rock. She recognizes me and 
cries out God has sent me to succor her. I dash 
forward — but the young girl’s strength gives way, 
the Russian holds her over the border of the preci- 
pice — there, by an effort, a superhuman effort, she 
resists for a moment longer. I am about to reach 
the murderer ; I have already raised my alpenstock 
to strike him, when suddenly I feel something 
like a wild beast crawl between my legs; it lifts 
itself against my body and crushes my breast under 
the irresistible pressure of its arms as red as fire, 
shivering and roaring with rage, I behold the 
monster that paralyzes my efforts. It is the idiot, 
the man with the goitre, who has come forth from 
a crevice in the rock. During this time the young 
girl gives a last cry of distress, and my eyes behold 
the infamous Russian cast the wretched creature 
into the gulf. Ah ! the scene was so terrible that 
merely relating it, I still feel the sweat of horror 
trickling down my forehead.” 

‘‘ Pah ! pah ! think of it no more, Herman ; it was 
nothing but a nightmare caused by our late supper. 
Try to go to sleep again, but don’t lie on your 
back, for it would return.” 

** The nightmare was the idiot, that unformed and 
disgusting monster who was crushing in my breast.” 

Where is the glove ? ” asked Max Rapelings, 
with an air of real or affected seriousness. 

“ Why do you ask me this so strangely ? ” 


THE LOST GLOVE. I4I 

“ Heaven knows, Herman, if it was not the glove 
that caused your nightmare.'' 

“Are you going to continue this foolish joke? 
It seems to me it has lasted long enough." 

“ Answer me, where is the glove ? " 

“In my pocket-book, you know that perfectly 
well." 

“ And the pocket-book ? " 

“ In my overcoat on the bed." 

Max felt about on the coverlet, found the pocket- 
book and cried out : 

“ See the glove lay directly upon your breast ; 
this was the nightmare that suffocated you." 

“ For the love of Heaven, Max, are you jesting 
or are you talking seriously ?" 

“Whether seriously or not, I do not wish to 
sleep in the same room with that bewitched object. 
I will throw the accursed glove out of the window.'* 

“ Max, no nonsense ! " 

The young doctor opened the window, and 
threw the glove out into the darkness. 

‘‘ I no longer understand anything," said the 
lawyer, astonished, “and wonder which is the 
crazier of the two." 

Max burst out laughing. 

“ So the proverb is again verified," he said. “ To 
convince a madman of his folly, we must seem to be 
madder than he. Come, come, the charm is 
broken. Close your eyes, Herman, and sleep well ; 
I am going to put out the candle." 

The End. 


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THE 


PALE YOUNG MAIDEN 


SEQUEL TO 

THE LOST GLOVE." 


BY 


HENDRIK CONSCIENCE. 


' 

‘^ronsfafcb from ^rtginaf 


BALTIMORE: 
JOHN MURPHY & CO. 
1887. 





Copyright, 1887, 

By JOHN MURPHY & CO. 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


CHAPTER 1. 

** It is not far from nine o’clock/* said Max, who 
was breakfasting alone with his friend in the dining 
room of the hotel. We have slept like marmots ; 
I, at least, for if you went on dreaming of the yel- 
low glove, your rest was not as complete as mine.” 

I did not dream any more,” replied Herman, 
” and I feel as fresh and in as good condition as on 
our first arrival at Berne. The day is splendid, the 
sun is shining outside.” 

‘‘ Provided you find no other pretext for falling 
into your rhapsodies. Luckily, we run no risk of 
meeting the pale young maiden on the mer de glace, 
and you no longer wear on your heart the bewitch- 
ing glove, as you did yesterday.” 

“ Max, you bore me with that glove ! What could 
have been more natural than to wish to keep such 
a souvenir? If this object were really to make any 
impression on me, it would be in consequence of 
your unfriendly conduct.” 

‘‘How? What does this mean?” 

“ It means that with your eternal jokes you have 
acted the part of a saw all day, and set my nerves 
on edge, and have finally been the cause of my be- 
coming excited.” 


3 


4 THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 

** What? What ? Herman do you take the mat- 
ter so seriously as that? Henceforward I will speak 
no more of the glove than of its pale proprietress — 
if it be her glove, of which I have strong doubts.” 

‘^You may talk of it as much as you please, 
Max. Yesterday's indisposition was a crisis, and 
my sickly sensibility is entirely calmed down. You 
would have done much better to leave the glove in 
my overcoat. We would probably never have 
thought of it again.” 

** Do you think so ?” asked Max, shaking his 
head. ‘‘Ah ! you do not understand the laws of 
this terrible magnetism. Who can affirm that an 
object charged with the fluid from one individual 
does not exercise a certain influence over another? 
Have you never read anything of Mesmer’s mag- 
netism ?” 

“ Stuff! You are so little in the habit of being 
serious that even now you are yourself becoming 
ridiculous without knowing it.” 

“ How is that ?” 

“ What are you talking about magnetism, when 
you are convinced it was not the girl’s glove ?” 

“ No, it was not her glove.” 

“ Yes, it was most assuredly her glove.” 

“ Well, Herman, believe what you please ; I am 
glad to have rid you of it, as you yourself say the 
glove has become a terrible bore.” 

I should wish to have kept it, if only to pre- 
vent my always being a slave to your caprices.” 

A boy came up to the young men ; he held out 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


5 


something to them, and said with a strange smile, 
“ The gentlemen have, I think, dropped this glove 
out of the window. I may make a mistake, for it 
looks more like a child’s glove or a'’ — 

Herman cried aloud joyfully, and tried to take 
the glove ; but Max prevented it, and placed it in 
his pocket, saying to the boy: 

“ You are not mistaken; thank you, my friend.’^ 

The boy went away. 

‘‘Confound it! things are becoming uncomfort- 
able,” growled the young physician, “ that accursed 
glove sticks to us like a scourge ; I will throw it 
into the fire before we go out.” 

“ Come, come ! enough of foolishness. Give me 
the glove, and say no more about it.” 

“ I shall burn it, I tell you !” 

“And I say you shall not burn it,” cried Herman, 
impatiently. “ I took it from the water ; it belongs 
to me. I consider it very strange you should al- 
ways be privileged to do as you please. Am I 
subordinate to you, or your servant ?” 

Max cast upon his companion a serious look, 
then began laughing. 

“ Would you still dare to think,” he said, “ that 
the glove is not bewitched or enchanted ? Here it 
is about causing a rupture between Herman Van 
Borgstal and Max Rapelings. It only needed this.” 

“ You shall not burn the glove, however.” 

“Well, no — but I will be the one to keep it.” 

A man entered the room. He was dressed in a 
complete costume of rust-color, a common felt hat. 


6 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


a large very white linen collar, and held in his hand 
a knotty stick. 

He took off his hat, saying: 

‘‘The gentlemen desire a guide, or conductor, to 
go and visit the glaciers 

“Ah! you are our guide ?” replied Max. “Very 
well, my friend; we will be ready in a few moments.’' 

“ Will the gentlemen tell me whether they mean 
to make an expedition, or take a long walk upon 
the mer de glace T' 

“ Oh! as long as possible,” cried Herman. 

“ That is,” added Max, “ if there be no danger.” 

“ No, sirs, with a good guide there is not the 
slightest danger ; we, who have traversed the gla- 
ciers since childhood, know all the crevasses, all 
the narrow places, all the abysses, and what are the 
spots to be avoided. Be good enough to wait a 
few moments ; I shall run home for some ropes.” 

“ Say, my good friend,” cried Max, “ you are go- 
ing for ropes ? What are they for ? Is it to hoist 
us on to the rocks ? — because I am not a lover of 
this sort of exercise.” 

“ No sir ; it is by way of precaution. I do not 
know where you wish to go on the glacier. There 
are places one walks on narrow steps cut in the ice, 
and on waves of snow ; it is for this purpose we use 
ropes to tie ourselves at short distances apart — if 
by accident one falls into a hollow, he remains sus- 
pended to the two others, and in that way they pull 
him up.” 

“ B-r-r-r ! I do not wish to hear ropes spoken of.” 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


7 


** Are you then afraid of so little ? ’* asked Her- 
man ; ** and can it possibly be the impression made 
by my horrible dream that still disturbs you ? ** 

‘‘ This may have something to do with it, Her- 
man ; but I have been made responsible for anything 
that may happen to us.” 

“A walk over a mer de glace must leave a splendid 
memory. That man says there is no danger; he 
only takes the ropes by way of precaution.” 

‘‘ Be entirely easy, gentlemen,” said the guide, 
“once upon the glacier you may go where you 
please, and if you prefer not being tied, you can ar- 
range the walk you choose with reference to that.” 

At the end of a few moments the guide returned 
with a bundle of rope on his shoulder, carrying in 
his hand a sort of pick or axe to cut steps in the ice 
in case of need. 

Max eyed him with misgivings mingled with 
anxiety. Herman on the contrary rubbed his hands, 
and seemed quite satisfied. 

They filled their gourds with water mixed with a 
little kirschwasser, and left their hotel, alpenstock 
in hand. The idea that they were going to climb 
the glacier had so impressed them that neither of 
them thought any more about the glove, and prob- 
ably the memory of the young girl would on this 
day remain effaced from their minds by the stronger 
impression of the spectacle of wild nature. 

After walking for a quarter of an hour, they came 
to the banks of the black Lutchine, at the foot of 
the glacier. 


8 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


While they were gazing with surprise at the im- 
posing mountain of ice, the guide said to them : 

*‘What you see here, sirs, is only the end of the sea 
of ice — the narrow pass by which it escapes from 
the mountains, disappearing gradually. Happily 
here the greater warmth causes the ice to melt as it 
advances, otherwise the Grindelwald and all the 
Lutchine valley would be swallowed up by a glacier 
several thousand feet high/' 

** I do not understand," said Herman ; ‘‘ do you 
mean to say that that enormous mountain of snow 
moves and advances really ? " 

‘‘ Yes, that is it, sir ; the glacier is always moving, 
though we cannot always mark its slow progress. 
There, at its foot, is a large quantity of stones of all 
sizes ; these stones have become detached higher 
up, perhaps from a summit several leagues off, by 
the rubbing of the glacier, and have in this manner 
fallen upon the ice. All that falls on the surface of 
the mer de glace finally comes down into the valley, 
where the melting ice deposits the stones." 

But where does all this ice come from ? " asked 
Herman. 

‘‘ Observe, gentlemen," said the guide, that on 
the highest mountains it never rains, but snows 
abundantly. The wind blows the snow to the bot- 
tom, which of itself falls at any rate by its own 
weight, under the form of avalanches ; lower down 
the sun has some strength, and it occasionally 
rains ; that causes the snow to melt, then at night 
it freezes again, especially in winter. You, there- 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


9 


fore, see that a portion of the ice must melt; the 
waters of the black Lutchine flowing from under 
the glacier are nothing but melted ice.*’ 

“ Doubtless the mer de glace is very extended ? *’ 
said Max. 

One may walk upon it for long hours, so to 
speak, without coming to the end.** 

‘‘ And how do you get on it ? Must one climb 
upon the ice? This seems to me impossible, and 
at any rate I have no desire to undertake it.** 

No, sirs ; a good path has been worn on the 
side of the Meltenberg. It is somewhat steep, and 
would fatigue a little, but in a two-hour-and-a-^alf 
walk we would reach the border of the mer de 
glace. Here below there is nothing to see but the 
ice grotto ; we will visit it in passing. It is worth 
the trouble, and will only require a few minutes to 
see it. Come, sirs, that red flag you observe over 
there floats over the grotto.** 

At the foot of the snow mountain they entered a 
sort of hole which proved a vaulted corridor under 
the ice. They thus penetrated into the body of the 
glacier, with the thought, by no means reassuring, 
that some hundreds of feet of ice were suspended 
over their heads. 

On entering the grotto, there was sufficient day- 
light from the outside, and its walls appeared as 
transparent as crystal, but further in there were 
lighted candles, whose vacillating and smoky light 
illumined here and there phosphorescent sparkles in 
the ice. 


10 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


While the Flemings, astonished and silent, were 
filled with ecstasy at this fantastic play of light, 
strange and mysterious sounds suddenly struck 
their ear. Herman was so surprised he gave a 
stifled cry. 

“ Heavens ! what is this ? '' he cried. ‘‘ I fancied 
some disaster.” 

They saw in a corner two old women, dressed in 
the Swiss costume, holding on their knees a stringed 
instrument called a timbrel. The plaintive sound 
of the metallic chords had impressed Herman, who, 
moreover, was very sensitive to all sounds which 
by their peculiar nature react on a nervous organ- 
ization. The old worften had intoned a song which 
could be no other than a lied of past centuries. 
This slow melopoeia, which might be even called a 
drawl, received from the accompaniment of the 
timbrel and the broken voices of the singers so sad 
a tone that it shadowed Herman’s mind, and Max, 
on his side, could not help laughing. 

They gave a piece of money to the two old 
women, and left the grotto. 

Max Rapelings rubbed his eyes to accustom him- 
self once more to the light of the sun, and cried out 
in Flemish, while they followed their guide : 

“ It was lucky we did not encounter those two 
crones yesterday, I should myself have thought 
them emissaries of our Russian. They must be 
possessed of the devil, to terrify travellers in that 
sombre glacier with that horrible cats’ concert.” 

‘‘ Why do you speak of the Russian now ?*’ asked 
Herman. “Are you going to begin again?” 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


II 


“Why, I thought you had become indifferent 
about it ?” 

“Very well, say what you please; I do not care 
at all. You call that music a cats' concert?" 

“ Most assuredly; and worse than that." 

“ You are wrong. Max; it does indeed resemble 
wild mewing, but in the song there is something 
strange and mysterious, that has affected me 
greatly." 

“ Say rather, a something infernal ; and now that 
I think about it, the music seems quite in keeping 
with this subterranean gallery. What can one hope 
for better inside a mountain of ice, than these mew- 
ing strangers." 

“ This song will long remain in my memory," 
said Herman, pensively, “ it still resounds in my 
ears." 

“ I know why, but do not wish to mention it." 

“ What childishness !" 

“ I saw you pale at the first sound of the timbrel. 
You thought you heard some one crying for suc- 
cor. Who was that some one ?" 

“ It was the continuation of my wretched dream." 

“Allow me, my dear Herman, to congratulate the 
pale maiden on the good opinion you entertain of 
her talent. She would not be much flattered to 
know you had recognized her voice in a charivari 
of tom-cats." 

“Gentlemen, we are beginning to get very high," 
said their guide. “ Follow me, and if you feel tired, 
we will rest on the way; it makes one pant some- 
what, but a moment's rest suffices to restore one."' 


12 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


They began their ascent courageously, scarcely 
speaking, but at the end of a half hour they 
dropped down on the side of the path, exclaiming 
that it would be impossible to endure such fatigue 
in a walk of three hours. The guide smiled at 
their annoyance, and said to them : 

“ You are not yet accustomed to mount, sirs ; this 
will come — rest awhile. The ascent of the mer de 
glace cannot be anything very difficult, since women 
and children make if 

Whether they were ashamed of their weakness, 
or whether the short rest had restored their strength, 
the Flemings rose, laughing, and again resumed 
their walk. 

Up to this time they had walked in a beaten 
track across pastures, and fir trees suspended on the 
side of the mountain, which did not seem to them 
dangerous, though it was very steep; but they were 
soon compelled to walk on the edge of the rocks, 
having beneath them abysses a thousand feet in 
depth, while on the opposite side of the path the 
rock went up perpendicularly like a wall, and at 
times even hung over their heads. 

All that surrounded them was so incommensur- 
ably great, so confused, so broken up and tossed 
about, that it seemed to them as if some frightful 
earthquake must have brought about these ravages 
in this Alpine nature. 

As there were thousands of stones fallen at the 
foot of the rocks, why should not one of these 
stones have become detached just as they were 
passing along? 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


13 


In one place where the path ran along the sharp 
edge of a yawning and sombre gulf, Max Rapelings 
stopped and said, very seriously : 

“ It makes me shudder ! I have had enough of 
the *mer de glace;’ let us go back, Herman; my 
head spins like a weather-cock.” 

“ What height have we reached now?” asked Her- 
man of his guide. 

“ About four thousand feet,” replied the other. 

‘‘Joking apart, Herman,” stammered the young 
doctor, “ we would do better to redescend. It be- 
gins to be horrible, and heaven knows what fol- 
lows. Yes, laugh at me in your turn ! Your brother 
confided your safety to me : if one of us fell from 
that height — four thousand feet ! — nothing would be 
left of him except perhaps his shoes — added to 
which, abysses have an attraction for man by a kind 
of magnetism.” 

“ Pah ! Nonsense, Max ! It is because we are 
looking on these things for the first time. You heard 
that even children were not afraid to walk along the 
edge of this rock. Your uncle, a man both aged 
and prudent, came himself. How we would be 
laughed at, if they learned that we, who are young 
and strong, had turned our backs upon it through 
fear !” 

“ Do not be uneasy, sir, on account of the nar- 
rowness of the road,” said the guide, “ horses pass 
readily over it.” 

“ Horses ? ” exclaimed Max. 

“ Yes, sir, horses.’' 


14 the pale young maiden. 

“ Pray, what are horses doing here 

‘‘ They transport travelers up the mountain, espe- 
cially ladies. At this point the road is still wide, 
gentlemen; but in a few moments we will reach the 
spot where the horses stop, because they can go no 
further ; from there we will have nothing before us 
but a little path cut in the rock by a hatchet, and 
winding along the side of it. For many travelers the 
road then becomes more frightful ; but it is an idea 
without foundation, for there is absolutely nothing 
to fear.” 

Max allowed himself to be over-persuaded, and 
continued to mount. 

A quarter of an hour after, they reached a spot 
where an enclosure of stone had been built to allow 
the horses to feed and rest. 

There were no horses just now, but two sedan 
chairs with their attendants were visible. 

** There are ladies on the glacier,” said the guide. 
‘‘ They are carried in those arm-chairs by two men, 
one behind and one before. It takes four strong 
men to carry those chairs ; they are relieved from 
time to time, otherwise the work would be impos- 
sible.” 

The Flemings had seated themselves upon stones 
against the mountain to rest awhile. 

Max Rapelings kept his eyes fixed with secret 
distrust upon the narrow path which mounted from 
here up the bare side of the rock, and ran along 
the border of a frightful abyss. 

** I am led to reflect, Herman,” said he, shaking 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


IS 


his head. “ Phrenologists say that man has different 
bumps on his head, and that under each of these 
protuberances is found the motive for one of our 
good or bad qualities. I have thought until now 
this might be more or less true, but am now con- 
vinced of the contrary.” 

“ Is it the sight of this imposing mountain that 
has suggested this idea,” asked Herman, with an 
ironical smile, “ what relation does your mind dis- 
cover between these protuberances on our skull and 
the gigantic humps that rise on the body of the 
earth ? ” 

‘‘ There is only the difference of the great and the 
small, Herman ; but that is not it. According to this 
system it seems to me there ought not to be one 
bump but fifty that should develop on our heads for 
each vice, or each virtue. Let us take for example 
courage or the want of it ; there are warlike men 
who do not tremble in the midst of fire and blood, 
yet who start back affrighted when they encounter 
a flock of sheep ; other heroes take pleasure in con- 
quering a raging horse, and shudder at the sight of 
a spider ; others laugh at the supernatural, and fear 
to retire to rest without a light. In a word, we may 
be courageous, very courrageous on great occasions, 
and at the same time be afraid of certain insignifi- 
cant objects — such as cats, mice, frogs, something 
white in the darkness, or a death’s head, etc. There 
are therefore different sorts of courage and fear, and 
all cannot spring from the same bump ! ” 

“ For the love of heaven. Max, why are these 
thoughts suggested here?” 


l6 THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 

Because I am like the heroes of whom I have 
just spoken. Did you ever know me as a coward? 
Have you not said a hundred times that Max Rape- 
lings was afraid of nothing?'’ 

“ Most assuredly." 

Well, you were mistaken, my friend ; since I was 
a child I have never dared mount a ladder with ten 
rungs ; to look down, were it only from the second 
story into the street, makes me shiver all over." 

‘‘ But, my dear Max," cried the young lawyer, as- 
tonished, ‘‘ are you speaking seriously ! Would you 
hesitate to do what women and children accomplish 
without fear? Truly you astonish me; I no longer 
recognize you." 

‘‘And I, Herman, do not recognize myself; my 
resolve convinces me there is no danger, yet the 
sight of that path makes me shudder. My sense 
and will are unable to triumph over this inexplicable 
weakness — it is probably because I have not the 
bump for making ascents. God knows whether I 
be not bewitched, as you were yesterday." 

“ It is a case of nerves. Max ; there is no remedy 
against that. Let us return ; it is a small sacrifice 
for me to make; — but what will your uncle say when 
he hears this ? " 

"Yes, I know very well," he said, rising reso- 
lutely, "you and your friends would laugh at me 
all my life — am I not right? No, no, I will climb to 
the top, even were I to encounter your idiot — ^your 
Russian — to bar the way to me. Forward, forward, 
and follow me if you can!" 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


17 


For some ten minutes they had walked in a com- 
plete and solemn silence, in a path where two per- 
sons could only cross each other under great stress 
— that is, if one stood flat against the rock to let the 
other one go by. Max did not dare turn his eyes 
towards the precipice; he looked straight before 
him. Suddenly he stopped. 

“Well, go on,” said Herman, who walked behind 
him. 

“Great heavens!” cried Max, in a stifled voice; 
“ my eyes no doubt deceive me — it is impossible !” 

“ What is impossible. Max?” 

“ It is he, it is he!” 

“ But who ?” 

“ See there, up above, in our path ! Don’t you 
recognize him ?” 

“ Oh! tlie Russian !” 

“ And the pale young maiden ! When you speak 
of the devil, you see his horns. They are coming 
down towards us. How shall we get out of the 
way? 

“ Very easily : we will stand against the rock and 
let them pass.” 

“ Yes, Herman, but the fellow looks like a cruel, 
bad man; he fancies he has reason to complain 
of us — suppose he took this opportunity to revenge 
himself. One little push, and we go ad patresy 

“ Heavens ! Max, you are running terribly off the 
track ! Are we children ? We two together need 
scarcely fear the Russian, were he twice as strong. 
At all events, there is not a question of tergiversa- 

I* 


18 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


tion. To fly like cowards is impossible ; therefore 
we are obliged to meet them, whether we will or no. 
I shall at any rate take a good look at the pale 
young maiden at close quarters.^' 

“ Herman, I beg you will not say a word to 
wound the Russian, but at all hazards keep your 
alpenstock ready. If any one here must take the 
perilous leap, better he than us/* 

“ How, Max, my boy, are you now about to enact 
a play?** 

“ Hold your tongue, hold your tongue ; he has 
seen and recognized us.** 

And indeed, the old gentleman, followed by a 
young lady seated in a Sedan chair, had suddenly 
stopped, hesitating, his eyes fastened on the Flem- 
ings ; he seemed to consult with his companion as 
to what was best to be done, but under compulsion 
had decided it was best to continue his way, for he 
was descending the mountain precipitately. 

Max Rapelings had made himself as small as 
possible to give place to the man he dreaded. As 
to Herman, he was absorbed by one thought alone 
— to get a close and perfect view of the pale maiden. 

She was probably instigated by the same thought, 
for she partly turned her head round, as if to see 
the young man chance so often permitted to cross 
her path, even on the mer de glace. 

Yet, as soon as she recognized him, she lowered 
her head and gazed straight before her, as if uncon- 
scious of his presence. She gave Herman only one 
furtive glance which seemed to express to our 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. I9 

young Fleming a plaintive cry, as if asking for suc- 
cor and deliverance. 

When the Russian was near the young man, he 
looked at them fixedly with a fierce and angry air. 

Herman took off his hat, and saluted at the same 
time the stranger and his companion, but the Rus- 
sian growled out some words through his closed 
teeth, and passed on without noticing the young 
man's salute. 

“ The underbred dolt," muttered Herman, ** I feel 
like calling him to account." 

“ For heaven's sake hush, rash man," said Max, 
placing his hand over his mouth, “ do you want to 
make him come back ? A pretty place truly, to fight 
a duel with a Russian." 

“ He is already far away," replied Herman, “ let 
us no longer speak of that rough personage. If I 
meet him again I shall ask him for the reasons he 
has for treating me in this rude manner; for you 
must acknowledge. Max, his conduct towards us is 
becoming intolerable. Poor, unhappy girl! Be 
assured he is causing her to die slowly, so young 
and so beautiful ! If one could read into that man's 
heart, there would be found nothing but rudeness, 
egotism, cruelty, and many other wretched passions, 
perhaps." 

‘‘ Yes, begin your romance all over again, then we 
will both be under a spell," said Max, sighing. 
** This is a mad journey we are now making. Come, 
come, let us hasten ; the sooner we get to the top, 
the sooner we shall be on a firm footing. Since the 


20 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


pale young maiden dares travel on this path, I hesi- 
tate no longer. But the weather will be something 
unusual when you catch me again ascending the 
side of a glacier.” 

When they reached the summit of the mountain, 
after climbing a long while in silence, quite worn 
out, their strength having forsaken them, the first 
thing that struck their eyes was a little frame house. 

It is a Swiss cottage, gentlemen,” said the guide, 
“where one may procure bread and milk; but I 
advise you rather to take a bowl of hot coffee and 
eat a good piece of bread and butter, before going 
on the mer de glace.” 

They entered the cottage, the interior of which 
was passably clean, and took their places on a 
bench before a great table. A woman, quite 
advanced in years answered the guide’s call, and 
told them the coffee would soon be ready, as it was 
boiling. 

And she soon after served them with butter, 
cheese, and very white bread. 

“ You live quite high up, my good woman,” said 
Herman, “ how cold it must be here in winter ! ” 

“ In the winter I live down below in the village, 
sir,” she replied. “ As soon as the snow begins to 
fall, and indeed a few days before, I leave this spot, 
not to return until the month of June. I am a poor 
widow, and it is in this way I make my daily 
bread.” 

“ Surely you do not live alone on this hi^h and 
lonely mountain?” 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


21 


“ Yes I do, sir, all alone.’’ 

‘^And you do not fear that robbers or malefac- 
tors should come here during the night?” 

We know nothing of this on the Alps, sir.” 

“Yes, but storms and tempests? They must be 
frightful at an elevation of six or seven thousand 
feet ! ” 

“ We are accustomed to them from our infancy,” 
replied the old woman. 

“You are saying nothing, my good Max,” said 
Herman, in Flemish. “You have a most sombre 
appearance. What is the matter ?” 

“ I do not know, Herman ; it probably is fatigue, 
no doubt.” 

“ But such fatigue passes quickly, and this hot 
coffee clears the mind and comforts the heart.” 

“ Then it must be that I am bewitched, Herman. 
The devil knows what makes my heart so heavy; I 
wish to laugh, but cannot.” 

“Now that you have had a close view of the 
young lady, have you read nothing in her eyes?” 

“She must have sorrow, and is suffering from 
troubles of mind, Herman. There is nothing the 
matter with her chest. I could on this score give 
you a long lesson in symptomatology, but do not 
feel inclined. Her body is strong enough, and she 
is not by far, on a nearer view, so pale as we 
fancied; and, moreover, the coloring of her face, 
though so delicate, shows vigor, and is not trans- 
parent; her eyes, too, do not present that glassy 
brightness, watery 


22 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


“ If the gentlemen wish to see the mer de glace,” 
interrupted the guide, “they must not lose the best 
hours of the day.” 

They followed him back of the cottage, then sud- 
denly perceived the mer de glace, which looked 
like an agitated sea, whose waves had been frozen 
suddenly while in their fury. Now the waves were 
as white as whitest snow, then again dirty or gray, 
further on transparent, and blue, and green, like the 
color of green glass, but of so strange a shade of 
blue and green, that no other thing in nature could 
give one an idea of it. Elsewhere the ice was cut 
by the heat of the sun in rugged ridges, sharp 
edges and points, or split into crevasses and end- 
less precipices, which alarmed the imagination 
through the idea alone that an unfortunate or im- 
prudent tourist might here find a frightful death. 

There were also large tracts that seemed 
smoother, offering at least sufficient surface to per- 
mit of walking upon them with some facility. 

On all sides high mountains rose out of the mer 
de glace, which itself ascended along its sides, or 
rather descended from them like an enormous tor- 
rent of frozen snow. 

All along the edges of the glacier and almost 
over its entire surface, there were stones and por- 
tions of rock, sometimes apart, sometimes heaped 
up, that the mer de glace in its gradual and insen- 
sible giving way had detached from the mountains. 

The aspect of this grand and magnificent spec- 
tacle had so impressed the Flemings that they 
scarcely lent an ear to their guide’s explanations. 


THE f>ALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 2 $ 

What astonished them most was the scene of 
utter confusion, abandonment, solitude and tran- 
quillity before them. Mountains wholly crushed 
and fallen into ruin, an immense sea of ice, whose 
half-melted waves had lost all appearance of shape ; 
not a blade of grass, not a bird, not a living crea- 
ture in this desert. It was like a savage creation, 
homogeneous, inert and dead, born of chance alone, 
or from the unconscious forces of nature. 

The Flemings following their guide descended 
to the surface of the glacier. 

Max Rapelings hesitated to place his foot on this 
uneven ice, which was very moist under the influ- 
ence of the sun; yet, owing to the jokes of Herman, 
he essayed to show a little more courage, all the 
while cursing between his teeth with bated breath. 

‘‘Yes, yes; perhaps you think I came to Switzer- 
land to seek some catastrophe ! What the proverb 
says is very true ; when an ass leads too happy a 
life, he undertakes to dance upon the ice and breaks 
a leg.” 

“ Go on at all events. Max ; there is no danger. 
You are not very flattering with your proverb of an 
ass. 

“ If ever that golden proverb was applicable to 
any one — but let us hold our tongues. One would 
need at least a half-dozen eyes here. Behold this 
crevasse ! it must be surely a hundred feet in depth. 
A false step, and poor Max Rapelings would be 
swallowed up in the ice and frozen until about two 
thousand years hence, when he is brought out like 


24 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


a petrified mammoth. Yes, yes, laugh away! — I say 
this seriously. Bang! there, I am down — help me to 
rise Herman, for by myself I shall never be able to 
recover my footing.” 

Max Rapelings had slipped and allowed himself 
to fall. 

“ You do this to joke,” grumbled his companion. 

Come, get up. What will our guide think of you? 
Happily you have not injured yourself, for you 
laugh.” 

” I laugh at the wrong side of my mouth,” replied 
Max, who began walking again with comical pru- 
dence. “If I were not accustomed to skate, I 
should certainly have broken an arm or a leg; but 
the good skater, when he finds he is going to fall, 
bends his knees and lets himself go. When a limb 
is broken it is generally that there has been resist- 
ance. Oh! oh! here is a still deeper crevasse, 
Herman, don’t go so near the edge — you make my 
flesh creep, and you know I am responsible for you. 
You won’t heed me? well, then let us go back. 

“ Here, my good man,” he cried in German, “stop a 
moment for God’s sake ! I wish to speak with you.” 

“ What does the gentleman wish ? ” asked the 
guide. 

“ Tell me, I beg, when we will have run for two 
hours around the -mer de glace, supposing these 
perpetual jumps and stumbles can be called an ex- 
cursion, what will we then see ? ” 

“ You will see the mer de glace, sir.” 

“ You talk like a book, my friend; but it appears 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


25 


to me the mer de glace consists first of ice, sec- 
ondly of snow, thirdly of ridges and holes, fourthly 
of crevasses, cracks and waves, fifth of cracks, waves 
and crevasses, and so on, always the same thing. 
Am I mistaken ? ” 

‘‘ So it is indeed, for any one who is afraid,’' re- 
plied the guide in a jeering tone, which wounded 
the young doctor’s pride, all the more that Herman 
clapped his hands and laughed aloud. 

“One who is afraid,” repeated Max, with as- 
sumed displeasure. “ How, Herman, do you wish 
me to prove to you that you are both mistaken, and 
I have courage to spare.” 

“ What will you do to prove it ? ” 

“ I will bid you farewell, and spring into that 
large crevasse — neither more nor less.” 

The young lawyer did not know what to think. 
At all risks, he placed himself between his friend 
and the crevasse. 

Max in his turn laughed aloud and said : 

“You must indeed think me a simpleton, to 
risk stumbling into that abyss ! But let us re- 
turn to our sheep, as the French say ; be candid, 
my young man, is there nothing else to see ? 
Will it not be ice, stones, cracks and crevasses ? ” 

“As you say, sir — but the shapes change at 
every few steps.” 

“ Shapes ! There is no shape about anything 
here. I am of the opinion we have walked, or 
rather danced, about enough on this mer de glace. 
We may easily fancy what there is to see over 


26 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


there ; 1 only move my feet to slip backward — 
and to think of having to go down by this terrible 
footpath six or seven thousand feet in descent on 
the edge of the abyss ! The thought alone makes 
my hair stand on end.!’ 

Herman again tried to convince his friend there 
was no danger, but became satisfied that Max 
was perfectly determined to leave the mer de glace. 

“ Very well,” he said, ‘‘ I will insist no more ; I 
have not the heart to laugh any longer at your 
strange prudence. Let us go.” 

** Will the gentlemen allow me to make one 
remark ? ” asked the guide. ** There are many 
persons who only dare make a short trip on 
the mer de glace. It is not for want of courage, 
it is because of the impression produced by so 
novel a spectacle; an impression depending more 
or less on the excitability of the nerves. Yet 
no one comes to the mer de glace, not even 
children, without at least going to see the funnel, 
which is at a cross-bow’s range from here. I advise 
you, gentlemen, to follow me as far as that: the 
road is very good.” 

“Oh, you call that a road,” growled Max, “a 
path above the waves of the ocean.” 

“ I mean to say, gentlemen, that in the direction 
of the funnel the walk is easy. Moreover, sirs, as 
a guide, I answer for your safety, so long as you 
follow the advice I give you. I, too, like to return 
home early to my wife and children; but as you 
pay me to conduct you, I wish you to see some- 
thing worth while.” 


THE PALE YOUxNG MAIDEN. 


27 


“ Come my good Max, even women attempt if 

** May we be guided by God’s grace,” said Max. 
*‘At all events it is not far, and if I refused you 
would never let me forget it.” 

To reach the designated funnel, it was necessary 
to pass at the same time over a sharp ridge of ice, 
or a small crevasse; Max grumbled and muttered 
he had been deceived, yet he followed his friend. 
They soon heard almost immediately under their 
feet a dull rumbling, like the roar of a torrent 

Max stopped, alarmed. 

Heavens, what is there beneath us ?” he asked ; 
** are we over water which has no bottom, upon a 
thin crust of ice ?’* 

“ On a crust of ice some hundreds of feet thick,” 
replied the guide. 

And approaching Herman, he said to him, 

If the gentleman wishes to draw near with me, 
he can look down into the funnel.” 

The young lawyer went forward to the edge of 
the abyss, and looked down. 

The funnel was a round hole scooped out by the 
water of the glacier. On the upper part shining 
walls of ice could be seen, which descended ab- 
ruptly, sparkling here and there under the reflec- 
tion of the feeble light, and finally becoming invisi- 
ble and disappearing in the depth of the whirling 
gulf. It was easy to understand that a river flowed 
beneath. The noisy chopping of the water made it 
even seem as though several streams met and 
struggled against each other to obtain, the right of. 
way. 


28 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


Herman found this spectacle so strange and 
wonderful, that he ran towards his friend and took 
him by the hand, crying, 

** Come along. Max ; you must see this whether 
you wish to or no. There is the greatest noise 
within ! — it would seem as though all the devils in 
hell were fighting a battle. And it is deep, deep ! 

The young physician allowed himself to be 
dragged to within three or four feet of the abyss ; he 
then resisted, and flatly refused to go any further. 

‘‘ But there is not the slightest danger, Max ; the 
edge of the funnel is as hard and solid as a wall.” 

‘‘ I know it well,” stammered the young doctor. 

‘‘ If you do, why refuse to draw near ? ” 

** This is what I ask myself.” 

‘‘ My dear Max, do you know that since this 
morning I do not recognize you ? — ^you who are 
generally so courageous ! Can you too be under a 
spell, as you supposed me to be yesterday, under 
the magical influence of that glove ? ” 

” Under the charm of the glove ? ” cried Max, 
striking his forehead with the palm of his hand. 

Of the glove ? Who knows ? There is some- 
thing in my condition which is not natural.” 

Saying this, he rummaged in his overcoat pocket, 
jumped aside and picked up a small piece of ice, 
which he wrapped in something he had hidden in 
his hand, came nearer to the funnel, and threw it all 
into the abyss. 

‘‘ Let the Russian now try to fish up the fatal 
glove ! ” he cried, triumphantly. 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


29 


“What vagary is this? Max, you are mad! Do 
you really yourself believe in the foolishness you 
invented for the sake of laughing at me ?*’ 

“No; but never mind — that beastly glove sets 
me on edge.’* 

“ Now, perhaps you will be willing to approach 
the funnel?” 

“ Perhaps, Herman. I shall try.” He took two 
steps, hesitated and stopped.. 

“ You see the glove had nothing to do with it,” 
said Herman ; “ you are still afraid.” 

“Yes, I dare not look into the abyss. The 
depth allures and troubles me — ^but come, to please 
you, I will try. Merciful heavens I it is the mouth 
of hell.” 

The guide had gone towards a pile of stones, and 
brought a heavy piece of rock to the edge of the 
funnel. 

“ Pay attention and listen carefully, gentlemen,” 
he said; “I shall push this stone into the abyss. 
You will hear it bound and rebound against the two 
walls, and the time it takes to fall will give you an 
idea of the thickness of the ice on which we are 
walking.” 

With the aid of his stick, he pushed the stone 
forward, making it roll into the gulf. A resound- 
ing noise arose, which resembled a succession of 
thunder-bolts, becoming duller and duller, finally 
dying away altogether — a proof that the funnel was 
so deep that the noise of the fall had become imper- 
ceptible even before the stone touched the bottom 
of the frightful chasm. 


30 THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 

“What a wild and savage nature!'" ejaculated 
Max. 

“ But grand and majestic, is it not ?" said Her- 
man. “ What a spectacle is this mer de glace 1 " 

“ Yes, much too grand. It is beyond the com- 
parative faculties of the human species ; it sins 
through excess." 

“ Has any one ever fallen in there ?’" asked Her- 
man of the guide. 

“Not in this funnel; but you may read on a 
stone in the cemetery of the Grindelwald, that in 
the year 1821, the pastor Mousson stepped into a 
crevasse of the glacier, and came to a terrible end.” 

“ There, my friend, I have satisfied you, spite of 
the cold sweat that has inundated me,” exclaimed 
Max Rapelings ; “ but I declare to you now, that 
if you wish to remain longer on the mer de glace, 
I shall return alone to terra firma. If I break my 
neck on the way for want of a guide, it will be 
your fault.” 

“ No, we are going down again into the valley,” 
said the guide ; “ it is much easier than mounting. 
You will see by five o'clock, or perhaps earlier, that 
you are back at your hotel.” 

They left the mer de glace, passed once more 
before the chalet, and found themselves at the top 
of the frightful path they had followed to reach the 
glacier. 

Max again stopped irresolutely and muttered, 
with his eyes fastened on the depth which gave 
him the vertigo. 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


31 


“ No, no, it was not the glove. There is no need 
of sorcery to freeze the blood in the veins of the 
most courageous man. If the ascent was difficult — 
what then must be the descent, with this frightful 
abyss always under one’s eyes? 

“ Have you perhaps the fancy to establish your- 
self in perpetuity on the deserted summit of the 
Meltenberg?” asked Herman. 

“I am here between two stools; there is no 
choice. Hush, Herman, it is dangerous to talk — 
let us descend, trusting to God’s mercy.” 

He at first followed his friend with some show 
of timidity, but soon plucked up courage ; he even 
admitted they were getting along better than he 
had hoped, and thought the descent might be- 
come a matter of habit, and if necessary they might 
become accustomed without much trouble to walk- 
ing on the mer de glace. 

On approaching the rock where the Russian had 
crossed their path, Herman turned his head around 
and said as he walked along, 

“ See Max, I was just here when she cast a 
glance upon me as if wishing to penetrate my inner- 
most thoughts ! Did you observe on this occasion 
what a look of inexplicable sorrow, deep pain, and 
soul-stirring anguish were expressed in her beauti- 
ful black eyes ? ” 

“ No — nonsense ! let us get on,” replied the young 
physician. “ I had something else to do just then, 
than to think of eyes, either blue or black.” 

They reached the spot where the horses were in 


32 THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 

the habit of halting, and seated themselves to rest 

“ May I inquire,'* said the guide, “ whether the 
gentlemen mean still to remain to-morrow at the 
Grindelwald ? " 

“ To-morrow we mean to ascend the Faulhorn," 
replied Herman. 

“ One moment," interrupted Max, the ascent of 
the Faulhorn ? This is not certain ; it depends upon 
circumstances. Tell me, my good man, is there a 
mer de glace on the Faulhorn ? " 

“ No sir." 

“ And are there pretty little paths like this one, 
where at any moment one may break one's neck ? " 

“ Nor that either, sir ! the road is easy, and there 
is no part of it where one walks as here, against the 
bare rock or naked spur of the mountain. Were a 
person anxious to fall he would find it difficult — that 
is, if he followed the beaten track." 

“ Then we will risk the ascent." 

** The Faulhorn is higher than the Meltenberg, is 
it not ? " asked Herman. 

‘‘ Yes sir, very much higher ; it measures over 
eight thousand feet." 

“ How long does it take to reach the summit ? " 

“ Travelers, novices like yourselves, gentlemen, 
who rest often, are six hours on the way. But 
when accustomed to climb, it takes less time. 
Have you your guide yet, gentlemen ? " 

“ No : will you fill the place ?" 

“ To-morrow, this will be impossible — I am en- 
gaged by an English family to accompany them to 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 33 

Rosenlaui by way of the great Scheideck. Don’t 
the gentlemen think their baggage is too heavy? ” 

‘‘ We have only our overcoats, a couple of shirts, 
and some minor articles.” 

“ Then sirs, I will recommend to you the son of 
my sister, a poor widow who is obliged to work for 
her living. The son is only fourteen years of age, 
but he is strong and active as a grown man, and as 
good a guide as any in the Grindelwald. At all 
events, you will only pay him half price.” 

“ But we will pass the night on the Faulhorn, and 
wish to go down the next day towards Giesbach and 
Brienz ; can the boy accompany us as far as that ?” 

“ He has made that trip more than once, gentle- 
men, and he can return by way of Interlaken to the 
Grindelwald.” 

The Flemings evinced willingness to listen to the 
guide’s proposal, and even assured him that if the 
poor widow’s son did them the same good service 
as a man, he should receive the pay of one. 

They rose, and began to descend. At this spot 
the inclination became more gradual, and they 
went along grassy slopes, and, hastening their 
steps, finally reached the valley of the Grindelwald 
without accident. 

Here Max Rapelings suddenly began to stamp 
his feet, and laugh so loudly that the other two 
looked at him surprised; he held his sides and 
threw himself about. His peals of laughter were 
only interrupted to give expression to the following 
words — 


34 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


Ha, ha, ha ! poor Herman ! Ha, ha ! my sim- 
ple, ingenuous and credulous friend! How one 
may make him believe that chalk is cheese I 

‘‘ Come now, matters are going too far,’* said 
Herman. ‘‘You will have to be bound shortly; 
you are losing your senses, or have been bitten 
by a tarantula.” 

“ Ha, ha, ha I you thought I was afraid up there 
on the mer de glace, and on the way, my dear, I 
was acting a part, my dear, to amuse myself at your 
expense.” 

“Ah, indeed!” replied the young lawyer, laugh- 
ing; “you are ashamed of your late cowardice? 
You fear I will tell it to your friends in Ghent, and 
are endeavoring to wipe away the stain ! So, you 
were not afraid ? Tell this to some one else ! try to 
make people more simple than we are believe it.” 

“ I tell you I was only counterfeiting.” 

“Very well then, console yourself with the 
thought that I was taken in, and let us return to 
the hotel, for I am as hungry as a hawk. Will you 
remain here and laugh at yourself until to-morrow 
morning? You are free to do so. Each one to 
his taste.” 

The young doctor saw that his ruse would not 
work this time ; he rose, took his friend’s arm and 
muttered in his ear : 

“Well, Herman, I may as well admit it. I did 
feel slightly unnerved on the mer de glace, but it is 
not necessary to proclaim this fact from the belfry 
at Ghent ” 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


35 


As they entered the hotel, the guests were about 
to place themselves at the table, some even were 
already seated. 

Max pressed his friend’s arm, holding him back, 
and whispered : 

Our Russian ! Let us leave the room.” 

“ No, Max ; I wish to show I am not afraid of 
him ; be quiet, the pale maiden is looking at us.” 

The old gentleman, however, as soon as he saw 
the young people come in, rose, cast upon them his 
calm, but severe glance, and cried out in French to 
the master of the house : 

“ Dinner for two and a bottle of St. Julian in 
apartment No. 8.” 

After having given this order, he took the young 
girl’s arm, who had risen, and left with her by a 
door at the extreme end of the room. 

The Flemings well understood that he went away, 
not to be obliged to sit with them at the same table, 
yet they dared say nothing ; but when the Russian, 
on leaving, turned his head to give Herman a look 
of disdain, the latter could contain himself no 
longer. 

“ Underbred creature that you are,” he exclaimed. 
“ What induced you without a motive to insult me 
thus ? Have a care, you shall account to me for 
your impertinent conduct.” 

And he was about to follow the old gentleman, 
when Max seized him by the shoulders, kept him 
back forcibly, and endeavored at the same time to 
calm him. He spoke to him of his mother, told 


36 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


him all the guests were gazing at him, and besought 
him not to spoil all the pleasure of their beautiful 
trip by any imprudent action. 

Herman was pale with anger ; he cried out in a 
loud voice that no one had the right to insult an- 
other without provocation ; he demanded, he ex- 
acted honorable reparation. 

Good Max Rapelings was alarmed at what might 
ensue as a result of this anger. Herman was in 
truth goodness itself, but he had his moments of 
passion, when he was capable of anything. So 
Max, holding back his exasperated friend with all 
his might, said he would not allow him to leave the 
dining-room, even if it came to a quarrel between 
themselves. 

There was a double cause for Herman’s irritation ; 
he had not only to revenge a gratuitous insult, but — 
what did not please him less — was the thought of 
punishing, at the same time a cruel tyrant, for all 
the trouble he made the young girl endure. 

When Max had succeeded in making him per- 
ceive the impropriety of causing a public scandal, 
and had promised to aid him in procuring after din- 
ner an honorable reparation, which should be suf- 
ficient, Herman seated himself, muttering, and still 
quite agitated, placed himself at table. 

The storm being thus stilled for the moment, the 
two friends determined, after a long deliberation 
carried on in an under tone, that on leaving the 
table Max Rapelings should go to apartment No. 8 
to speak with the Russian and ask an explanation of 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 37 

him, and an apology for his rude proceedings 
against them. Should he not be properly received, 
Herman would then be at liberty to act as best be- 
fitted his offended dignity. 

The young doctor was not particularly pleased 
with this mission, which he had only undertaken to 
appease his angry friend's wrath ; he therefore made 
the dinner last as long as possible, and spite of 
Herman’s entreaties, would not miss a mouthful, 
nor at dessert allow an apple or a piece of cheese to 
pass him by. 

Nevertheless it had to come to an end. Max rose 
and said, 

Herman, you remain seated and be perfectly 
natural ; it is not necessary the guests should know 
there is anything to settle between the Russian and 
ourselves. I am going now, and will return to 
give you an account of the result of my undertak- 
ing.” 

No cowardly compliance at least, I beg,” mut- 
tered Herman. 

“ No, but politeness always. One may be very 
much in earnest and stern, without being rude.” 

He left the room, and asked a servant he 
encountered in the vestibule to direct him to apart- 
ment No. 8. 

“ Are you looking for the old gentleman with the 
young lady?” asked the servant. 

Yes.” 

They are gone, sir.” 

Gone ! Where to ? ” 


38 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


‘‘ To Interlaken, no doubt; there is no other road 
from here. See, there they are in their carriage ; 
they stopped to converse with another traveler.” 

And indeed Max observed from the door, on the 
sill of which he was standing, the Russian and his 
pale companion seated in a carriage, exchanging 
civilities with an individual whom by his alpenstock 
they knew to be a traveler. 

After less than a minute’s stop the carriage re- 
sumed its course. 

Max hastened to rejoin his friend, and said to 
him: 

‘‘ If there be no sorcery in all this, it resembles it 
strangely. The Russian, no doubt, has departed 
through fear; and there is something else — I saw a 
traveler talking and exchanging salutations with 
him. Take your hat quickly, this traveler must 
still be in the street; I should recognize him and 
shall ask him something about the Russian. We 
will then know who he is, at least. Come, make 
haste ! ” 

They left the hotel and looked around every- 
where, but the traveler they sought was no longer 
visible. 

As Max thought he had taken the hilly street 
that led to the extremity of the village, where there 
were more hotels, they followed the same road, and 
promenaded, in every sense of the word, for more 
then an hour in vain. 

During this interval Herman had entirely calmed 
down, and finally admitted frankly he had been 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


39 


wrong to expose himself to such danger merely for 
a questionable look. He did not fear the danger for 
himself, but should not forget he had a mother who 
would die of grief if anything happened to him in 
Switzerland. Now, it was not probable he would 
ever see the Russian again ; their frequent encoun- 
ters up to the Grindelwald could be explained by 
the circumstance that the Russian, like themselves, 
had gone to the Bernese Oberland by way of the 
lake of Thun. There is but one road, so to speak, 
which is followed by every traveler. It was there- 
fore nothing astonishing that people who found 
themselves at the same time on the road, should 
meet more than once. Now the Russian had re- 
turned to Interlaken, doubtless to begin at Berne 
his travels toward Geneva and Italy, which he had 
announced to his landlady ; he had therefore taken 
quite an opposite direction to that followed by the 
two young men, and from this time it was impos- 
sible to meet elsewhere. 

After reasoning thus, Herman added, gayly, 

“ My good Max, let us look upon this affair as a 
mere incident of travel, which is over ; and thank 
God who protected me from the consequences of 
my imprudent anger, and think of it no more. 
May to-morrow’s sun illumine the excursions of 
two joyous and enthusiastic lovers of nature !” 

‘‘Yes, yes,” warmly exclaimed the doctor; “may 
our hearts be forever lightened of this weight! 
The adventure of the pale young maiden ends here. 
I still feel my flesh creeping when I think that it 


40 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


might have terminated in a duel between a young 
advocate from Ghent, and an abominable Cossack.” 

But Herman, do you never get tired ? Night is 
falling, and my legs are giving way under me.” 

“ It is the morning's excitement up there on the 
mer de glace, which has gone down into your legs,” 
said Herman, in a tone of raillery. 

“ It gives me pleasure to see you laugh, even at 
my expense. I should like to take advantage of 
your good nature to make a joking assault upon 
you, but breath is wanting; as to-morrow morning 
we are to climb for the period of six hours, it would 
be more prudent to go to bed without further delay.” 

‘‘You are right; moreover, we need make no 
further inquiries about the Russian. Come, let us 
go to bed.” 

They went down the street and entered their 
hotel. 

“ It is your turn to write home,” said Max ; “but 
after the excitement of the day, you no doubt feel 
little disposed to fulfill the duty?” 

“ I will write to-morrow, let us sleep now with 
all our might and main, and take our ease. At 
any rate, since we have the intention of spending 
to-morrow night on the Faulhorn, I cannot see 
why we should abridge this one as if we were being 
lashed to our work.” 

“ Very well, Herman, it will give us strength to 
endure our long ascent.” 

“ Then, good night!” 

“ Good night!” 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


41 


CHAPTER 11. 

The young Flemings walked leisurely in a path 
which reached almost to the summit, along the 
green sides of the Faulhorn ; sweat fell from their 
brows, and their breathing was short and troubled. 
Now and again they complained of the steepness 
of the road, but were unable to keep up any con- 
versation. Twenty times at least they had already 
sought rest, and hardly had they gone ten steps 
than they again felt the desire of resting themselves; 
but their guide’s presence gave them the courage 
necessary not to give way to their fatigue. 

The guide was a young boy about fourteen years 
of age, with bright eyes and an intelligent counte- 
nance. He carried the baggage of the two travelers 
on his back, surmounted the difficult path with as 
much ease as if he were going over a board walk, 
and followed those whom he called his gentle- 
men,” whistling and singing under his breath. 

Though he was very discreet, and did not talk at 
all, except when necessary to point out the road, 
or answer any question put to him, yet he smiled 
each time he saw the gentlemen seat themselves on 
the side of the road, exhausted with fatigue. 

It might have been about ten o’clock in the 
morning; the sun shone almost directly down along 
the sides of the mountains, and under the warmth 


42 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


of its fiery rays, rather than because of the fatigue 
of climbing, the travelers felt their limbs give way 
as though a weight of two hundred pounds had 
been fastened to their shoulders. 

One more quarter of an hour, and they would 
reach a thick wood. The guide had told them 
the path crossed the woods, and they would find 
shade and refreshment. This promise stimulated 
them to renewed exertion ; they gathered up their 
strength, and though their breath was burning, and 
their hearts beat violently, they struggled energeti- 
cally against fatigue to attain the desired end. 

The first trees of the forest towered only fifty feet 
before them, and seemed to hold out their green 
branches towards them like the arms of friends, in- 
viting them to enjoy a long rest under their fresh 
shade. 

But Max Rapelings could hold out no longer. 
When he heard the guide say, “ Gentlemen, from 
this point one can see the whole of the Grindel- 
wald,’' he seized the opportunity to fall down on 
the side of the path. 

'‘Ouf!” muttered he; ‘‘the Russian — can he have 
— without our knowledge — transformed us by some 
enchantment — into horses or mules ? ” 

“ It does seem so, indeed,’' replied Herman, seat- 
ing himself beside him. “ It would be a singular 
revenge. Let us blow awhile. Hold your tongue 
now, Max." 

At the end of a few moments, the young doctor 
resumed, in a less exhausted voice : 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


43 


“ It is a strange thing, Herman. While climbing 
mountains, only legs do not seem to tire. The 
chest alone appears to work and suffer ; for scarcely 
does one take breath but for a few moments, than 
one recovers altogether. On the other hand, while 
descending, the legs alone are fatigued, while the 
chest is not involved, as if it took no part in the ex- 
ercise of the body. And to think we have still five 
hours of climbing ! Have you not recovered 
breath, Herman, that you are so silent ?’* 

‘‘ The boy is right in calling our attention to the 
view one enjoys here,” replied the young lawyer. 

In the midst of these numberless marvels we are 
beholding, we become blunted by degrees and in a 
measure insensible to that which is no longer 
greater and more extraordinary than what we con- 
templated the day before. How picturesque and 
charming, however, are the houses of the Grindel- 
wald, dotted through the deep valley or suspended 
on the side of the mountains ! It seems to me that 
I see more of them up there, several thousand feet 
higher up.” 

I notice here, more than anywhere else,” said 
Max, “ what makes me doubt my powers of com- 
parison. Before us, the three giants of the Grindel- 
wald, the Wetterhorn, the Miltenberg and the 
Eiser, elevate their snowy summits almost to the 
skies. Their broad sides are covered by the two 
mers de glace. This background is so enormous, 
so grandiose, that in the foreground all seems as- 
tonishingly dwarfed, and probably fails to appear to 
our eyes in its true dimensions.” 


44 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


“ I do not believe it to be an illusion, Max, but a 
reality.’' 

‘‘But look at those hundreds of small houses, 
Herman, each one in the midst of a meadow sur- 
rounded with gardens ; they seem no larger than 
birds’ nests, and the meadows than pocket handker- 
chiefs.” 

“Yes, Max, but what dimensions do you expect 
man’s work to attain in our eyes, when we must 
compare it with these mountains ten thousand feet 
in height.” 

“ Those little green fields down there, below those 
small trees which are almost invisible, and those 
little houses, all resemble the villages and gardens 
we constructed in our infancy with the boxes of 
toys made in Nuremberg.” 

“Here, primitive nature reigns in its entire majesty. 
It crushes the work of man by the immense grand- 
eur of its forms. Suppose we enter the woods. 
Max.” 

“ No, that would not be prudent ; we are very 
much heated ; it must be too cool under that thick 
foliage. We are very comfortable here, and can 
rest as long as we like. We need take no note of 
time.” 

He turned towards the boy, who was seated a few 
steps off, and asked him in German : 

“ Tell me, my friend — I observe that those little 
houses down below are in twos; one of them is 
probably the stable ? ” 

“ The gentlemen is mistaken,” replied the young 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


45 


guide. “In those huts where the windows are 
painted white, the people dwell; the others are 
barns for storing the hay.” 

“ The German you speak so well, my boy, is yet 
not the language of the inhabitants of the Grindel- 
wald?” 

“ No sir, we have also our Swiss dialect, but we 
learn high German at school.” 

“You then know how to read and write?” 

“Yes sir, and cipher too,” replied the young lad, 
with some pride. “ In Switzerland all the children 
know how to read, write and cipher. No one is 
dispensed from going to school, not even those 
who live on the high Almen!' 

“ What do you call the Almen ? ” 

“ The prairies on the declivities of the mountains, 
sir, like those we are upon now.” 

“Education then is obligatory in Switzerland?” 

“Yes sir; especially in the Canton of Berne.” 

“ But you, my friend, you no longer go to school, 
since you are a guide.” 

“ I must tell you, sir, that the guides of the Grin- 
delwald, like those elsewhere, form a guild or cor- 
poration, and no one can become a guide without a 
permit ; but I am the son of a guide who is dead, 
and it is for this I may, though still young, exercise 
my father’s occupation, on condition that I prove 
by an examination I have learned all at school 
there is to teach. I passed this examination last 
year successfully, and have obtained a certificate. 
But for this I could not have left school, nor, in 
consequence^ have become a guide.” 


46 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


people with heads, these Swiss!” exclaimed 
Herman. They realize without noise or pride a 
progress that greater nations regard as desirable, 
but as impossible to realize.” 

Suppose we carry our burden a little further up 
on the mountain,” said Max to his companion. 

‘‘ Our burden ? What burden ? 

“ Our bodies, I mean. I do not know, Herman, 
whether you are like me, but I really dreamed just 
now I was a horse and was carrying my own body.” 

‘‘ What nonsense is this ?” 

Ah 1 if we only did not have to drag up there 
our corpus iners, how quickly we should reach the 
summit of the Faulhorn!” 

What would you do up there, then, if you had 
no eyes to see ? ” 

“ We should see much better with the eyes of 
the soul.” 

There ! be done with such nonsense as this. 
Again is the deviltry of magnetism settling itself 
upon your shoulders. Come, come, forward, and 
keep silent if you can, for talking fatigues more than 
walking.” 

They rose and walked into the woods. The 
path was not less steep than below, and not much 
time was needed for the travelers to become as 
breathless as before. 

Once only. Max remained behind to fill his pock- 
ets with a certain kind of green moss which hung 
on all the branches like long threads or cobwebs ; 
and to make up for lost time, he was obliged -to has- 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


47 


ten so that, quite out of breath, he asked Herman 
to take pity on him, who to punish him pretended 
not to hear. 

They thus continued their way across the woods, 
and then passed over great pastures and by sombre 
pine forests, resting often and talking little, until, 
when finally, after a three hours' fatiguing ascent, 
they found they were attaining the height known 
as Rosalp, where according to their guide they 
would enjoy a perspective which would produce 
upon them a vivid impression. 

Seated on the edge of the path, and turning in the 
direction from whence they came, they now saw be- 
neath their feet the valley of the Grindelwald, like a 
mere rent, deep and fathomless. The bare sides of 
the Meltenberg and the Wetterhorn rose almost 
perpendicularly from this depth, like the rocky walls 
of a gigantic burg. Their summits were covered 
with eternal snow, that the sun’s rays colored 
with every imaginable hue, from the most vivid 
white to azure blue. Here and there the sunlight 
and the snow appeared to mingle, the boundary be- 
tween them being so uncertain as to give the ap- 
pearance of a mountain whose summit reached the 
sky or pierced the firmament. 

The valley of the Grindelwald, whose depths they 
could not discover, appeared sombre in spite of the 
dazzling light of the sun. All was gray and ob- 
scure, probably from the immense shadow cast by 
invisible mountains. At immense heights, however, 
could be observed woods and prairies, cabins and 


48 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


waterfalls, placed one above the other, as if upon 
steps inlaid in the steep side of the mountain. 

Not only did the hearts of the two friends beat 
each time they looked down into these depths, 
which gave them the vertigo, but the complete and 
soul-stirring silence that reigned in the abyss made 
them shudder. 

‘'And there, there in the bosom of this gulf, is 
the habitation of man ! ” muttered Max. “ There is 
the theatre of his activity, of his joys, his sorrows, 
and his hopes ! It is there she lives and dies ! 
Ants, ants ! ” 

“ Hold your tongue, for the love of God!’' said 
Herman. “ What grave-digger’s thoughts are these ? 
My heart beats, too, but it is for joy! How beauti- 
ful it all is — how magnificent ! Switzerland is the 
spoiled child of the Creator — one of its marvels 
alone, did it exist in Belgium, would attract the en- 
tire country, and here, here, there are these beauties 
by the thousand. What do I hear though ? bells 
in this desert? ” 

“ You well know,” said Max, “ they must be cows. 
We have already frequently heard the noise. Here 
every cow and each goat has a small bell suspended 
to its neck, that it may be recovered when lost in the 
mountains. It is strange, but the multiplicity of 
sounds also troubles the ear. Does the tinkling 
come from right or left: from above or below? I 
cannot place the sound.” 

“Hi! my friend, where are the cows, whose tink- 
ling bells we heard ?” he asked of the young guide. 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 49 

who stood about ten paces ofif from them, and was 
looking into the valley below. 

They are pasturing orv the mountain, over yon- 
der,’' he replied. ‘‘ From the spot where I am stand- 
ing they may be seen.” 

The Flemings approached their guide; the lat- 
ter pointed with his finger across the narrow rent of 
a valley of rocks, and said : 

There, on the other side, gentlemen. The 
shepherd has seen us, and is blowing his Alpine 
horn as a salute. Hark! how the sounds of the 
horn are repeated by the mountains.” 

'' But how can it be,” exclaimed Herman, 
“ do my eyes deceive me ? The cows are on the 
border of a frightful precipice, where there does not 
appear to be sufficient footing for a man. What are 
those poor beasts doing there ? ” 

'' They seek the grass that grows in spots upon 
the Alps. Notice carefully, gejitlemen, small paths 
have been cut, that the cows might find a footing.” 

Oh I — Ah ! I see something still more aston- 
ishing,” cried Max. 

” What do you see ? ” 

A chamois — a gemsT 
Where?” 

“ Over yonder well above the cows ; a black beast 
standing on a point of rocks, its four feet gathered 
together as if about to spring.” 

'‘That is not a chamois, sir,” said the youth, 
smiling; “the chamois abide much higher up; the 
animal you see over there above the crevasse on 
2 * 


50 THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 

the extreme point of a rock is a goat. Oh ! goats 
are more venturesome than cows ; but where a goat 
walks prudently, a chamois bounds and leaps from 
one rock to the other above the abysses, as if en- 
dowed with wings.'' 

‘‘ What do I see there underneath ? " asked Her- 
man ; are they not men ? " 

“Yes, sir; they are persons of both sexes, who 
are making hay on an Alp." 

“ They look no larger than rabbits," observed 
Herman. “ One must have Swiss eyes to distin- 
guish them at such a distance. How is it possible 
for them to make hay on a mountain which is al- 
most perpendicular ?" 

“ Habit, sir," replied the guide ; “ a clear eye and 
firm foot." 

“ Let us proceed," said the young doctor. “ The 
air is very cold here, spite of the heat of the sun, 
I feel a shiver runniijg through my frame ; it is very 
dangerous." 

They picked up their alpenstocks, and renewed 
their ascent with all the more courage, in that their 
guide announced to them that before a half hour 
they would reach the Sennhutte^ or dairy of Bachalp, 
where they could procure wine, milk, bread and 
cheese, and tourists were in the habit of eating 
something here, and obtaining a little rest. 

The Flemings were again very tired, and ad- 
vanced, puffing and panting without speaking, when 
they reached a little hillock of slate-stones broken 
into fragments, where they seated themselves to 
breathe awhile. 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


51 


Amid the stones the boy had perceived a white 
flower, to which he gave a Swiss name ; to gather 
it he tried to climb the hillock, but as he could not 
succeed for want of a support he lost his footing 
and fell against the stones. 

A cry of horror and pity escaped ‘from our two 
friends when they saw the poor boy fall and roll 
down the hillock. They flew towards him, but he 
was already on his feet, and cried out, laughing : 

“ There is no support to be had from these roll- 
ing stones. It is nothing, gentlemen ; do not pay 
any attention to it, I did not hurt myself.'* 

“ But your hand is bleeding, my friend — your left 
hand — come, let me staunch the wound,*' said Max. 

And he drew from his coat a pocket of green 
leather, ornamented with shining little knives and 
other instruments ; he took from it a small roll of 
linen bandages and bound up the young guide's 
wound, which consisted only of a cut on the mid- 
dle finger of the left hand. 

It is done now," said Max. “ The evil was not 
so great as the fear of it ; only be careful not to 
bruise that finger." 

‘‘Yes, sir; I thank you," he replied. “I have 
something in my pocket that may help me to do 
this." 

Saying which, he drew from his pocket some- 
thing that resembled a small piece of grey kid. 

Herman opened his eyes with astonishment, took 
the object from the boy's hands, and muttered : 

“ Heavens ! what does this mean ? It is the pale 
maiden's glove." 


52 THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 

‘^Ah, good ! the pale maiden’s glove,” repeated 
Max, laughing until he had to hold his sides, “ha! 
ha ! ha I The pale maiden’s glove is in the funnel 
of the mer de glace.” 

“ The thing itself, I tell you,” reiterated Herman, 
looking gravely and almost like one stupefied at the 
piece of kid. “ How did that glove manage to get 
out of the abyss to follow us to the Faulhorn ? ” 

“ This is not astonishing ; it is enchanted, Her- 
man.” 

“ No ; do not laugh, I beg of you ; it is very de- 
cidedly her glove ; the same we picked up on the 
road to the Lauterbrunnen.” 

“ There, Herman, cease these foolish jokes,” re- 
plied the young physician. “ I fancied we were 
entirely cured of these hollow reveries and senti- 
mental follies, and here you begin again worse than 
ever. So you are going to the end of your life to 
behold the pale maiden’s glove in every piece of 
kid?” 

“ It is her glove. Max.” 

“ But this one is either white or grey.” 

“ It has been yellow, and still has a yellow tinge 
— and look at those delicate fingers.” 

“ But for the love of heaven, how can you be so 
silly as to suppose a glove can reappear from the 
bosom of the mer de glace, from which nothing has 
returned since the creation ? Do you really sup- 
pose there is witchcraft in it, or that God would 
bring about a miracle merely to turn us from our 
way ? ” 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 53 

‘‘ I do not know, Max ; it is beyond my powers 
of comprehension ; but be assured it is her glove.” 

‘‘ The simplest thing is to ask the boy where he 
found it; you will see it has been at least six 
months in his possession.” 

“ Tell me my friend,” he asked of the little guide, 
“ where did you get this glove, and how long have 
you had it ?” 

'' I found it this morning on the borders of the 
Lutchine,” he replied. ‘‘As the gentlemen did not 
wish to leave early, not knowing what to do, I 
walked along the banks of the river ; there, half in 
the water, among the stones, I found the glove, just 
in front of your hotel. I picked it up, for the kid 
might do to repair the keys of my little harmonium. 
I was going to bind my finger with it, but if it be- 
longs to the gentlemen, they are welcome to it.” 

The two friends exchanged strange glances of 
surprise and doubt. The young doctor shook his 
head, and again asked : 

“ Do you know the funnel of the mountain of 
ice, my boy ? ” 

“ The funnnel on the unterem Gletscher (the nether 
glacier), sir ? ” 

“ Yes ! ” 

“ I have been twenty times on its borders casting 
down stones.” 

“ Do you know, my friend, if anything thrown 
into it ever reappears ? 

•‘ No, never, sir.” 

“ Could it be possible that a glove thrown into 


54 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


the funnel should get out underneath the mer de 
glace, and reappear on the borders of the Lutchine ?'* 

The boy cast down his eyes reflectively, and after 
a moment, answered : 

I never heard any thing like that told ; but in 
fact, it might be possible, since a man who fell into 
a crevasse on the oberen-gletscher (upper glacier), 
got out underneath/' 

‘‘ A man who came out from under the mer de 
glace ? " repeated Herman, incredulously. “ A tale, 
no doubt ? " 

“ No, sir ; it is the truth ; there are many of this 
man’s descendants who inhabit the Grindelwald. It 
is a story we always tell travelers when we conduct 
them to the upper glacier." 

“ Tell us, then, the story," said Max. 

** It happened in the year 1787, gentlemen. The 
father of a family, whose name was Christian Bohren, 
fell into a wide and deep crevasse on the surface of 
the mer de glace ; he was not mortally wounded, but 
remained a long while in a swoon. When he came 
to himself he felt water trickling beneath him 
abundantly, as if he were lying on the bed of a 
river. In his terrible position this afforded him a 
feeble hope ; he began crawling on his hands and 
feet, working and struggling to find an outlet, 
until he reached the bed of a wider water-course, 
where he could stand upright. The wider current 
was the Lutchine. He followed its course, and 
thus was enabled to come out beneath the ice 
mountain. Fortunately two guides and two travel- 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


55 


ers saw him emerge, as otherwise no one in the 
whole valley of the Grindelwald would have be- 
lieved such a thing. This story is a true one, gen- 
tlemen; my father has told it to me a hundred 
times, and made me learn it by heart ; moreover, 
the eldest son of Christian Bohren was one of my 
father’s good friends.” 

** Do you really believe, my good boy, that this 
glove might have been carried from the funnel to 
the borders of the Lutchine ? ” 

‘‘ I dare not affirm that it is so, sirs ; but I know 
no other explanation.” 

That boy argues very well for his age,” said 
Herman. What he says proves it is her glove.” 

‘‘ What a pity !” said Max, with a sneer ; all the 
marvelous has disappeared, and the thing becomes 
no more remarkable than to see a wisp of straw 
carried by the rain down the stream. Let us get on 
Herman, it is not worth stopping about any longer.” 

They went on silently, but the path was becom- 
ing less steep and easier ; Max drew near his friend 
and asked : 

‘‘ Herman, of what are you thinking ? — of the 
glove ? Where is it ? ” 

‘‘ In my pocket-book.” 

Take care, for though the glove may not be it- 
self bewitched, it may bewitch you.” 

‘‘ Walk a little faster. Max ; I will not listen to 
such nonsense.” 

“A thought strikes me ; let us cut the glove in 
small pieces, and drop them along the road as Hop 


56 THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 

o’ my Thumb . did the crumbs of bread. Heaven 
knows whether we would not find the miraculous 
glove at Brienz, entire and immaculate as it came 
out of the shop. Then there would be, indeed, 
cause to believe in a miracle ! ” 

“ Cut it in pieces ? you will never see the glove 
again as long as you live. It is worth a thousand 
francs to me. There is no question h’ere of sorcery 
or a miracle ; the pale maiden has no part in it. Do 
you not know, mocker, that this glove will remain 
one of the most exquisite souvenirs of our trip to 
Switzerland ! It is an entire romance. All is brought 
about by chance alone, but you will see on our re- 
turn home no one will want to believe in the story 
of that glove, which has followed us so wonderfully, 
even after you had consigned it to the bottomless 
gulf of the mer de glace, never to see it again.” 

Sirs,” said the guide, ‘‘ this cascade is the water- 
fall of Mahlebach.” 

Our two travelers were so absorbed in their re- 
flections about the glove that was found that they 
had not noticed a little cascade, which springing forth 
beside them, came down the mountain foaming and 
roaring. They had already seen so many beautiful 
things that it needed finer ones still, or perfectly 
new ones, to awaken their enthusiasm ; moreover, 
they again felt very much fatigued, so that when the 
guide pointed out to them the halt of Bachalp they 
gave a cry of joy. It was the spot where they were 
to rest and recruit. 

This hut, like all shepherd’s huts on the Alps, 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


57 


was constructed of branches of pines intertwined. 
The roof, not very high, was formed of boards dis- 
posed like slate, and heavy stones, which it was 
weighted with, preserved it from the violence of the 
storms. 

When the Flemings entered it, they saw nothing 
but buckets, kettles and jugs. A simple wooden 
bench and a rough table were there for the use of 
tourists ; on the hearth was suspended a large pot 
over a smoking fire, a man standing in front to keep 
up the fire and watch the pot. 

This shepherd approached the travelers, who had 
seated themselves on the bench, and asked very 
politely what the gentlemen wished to take. 

According to their orders he brought them a 
bottle of wine, some bread, butter and cheese. 

As frugal as this repast seemed, the Flemings, 
famished from their ascent, partook of it with great 
appetite, at the same time looking around them 
with some curiosity, and following the man with 
their eyes to see what he was doing. 

He had lifted the pot from the fire, and taken it 
to another room. Now he probably had a moment 
of leisure, for he approached the travelers, and said 
to them, smiling: 

“ This is, I see, to the gentlemen’s taste. The air 
of these mountains affects the stomach strangely; 
yet it is not prudent to eat too much cheese when 
not in the habit of doing so. Our cheese is justly 
celebrated over the entire world, but it is heavy 
food.” 


58 


THE PALE AOUNG MAIDEN. 


Will you drink a glass of wine with us, my 
good man ? ” asked Max. 

“ The gentlemen are very good — I will not refuse 
a glass of wine.” 

When the man had drunk, Max resumed : 

‘‘This is a strange life of yours, my friend; all 
alone, far away from every human being — six thou- 
sand feet above the level of the sea! In summer it 
may be endured, but in winter 1” 

The Swiss who have the habit of meeting strang- 
ers, know they may be agreeable to them by satis- 
fying their curiosity as to all that attracts their at- 
tention. The shepherd seeing, by the questions 
asked him, that the young men were entire strang- 
ers to Alpine life, seated himself on a corner of the 
bench, ready to give them all the information they 
desired. 

“ Gentlemen,” he said, “ in winter I do not live 
here, and under all circumstances I am not entirely 
alone. I am a shepherd, and follow the sheep ; as 
the autumn approaches they descend into the valley, 
finally seeking the village, where they spend the 
winter in warm stables. Then this Sennhutte is 
abandoned, and oftentimes even buried under the 
snow. When the spring returns, and the snow 
melts in the valley, the cattle are carried to the 
lower pastures; when summer comes they climb 
the mountains to obtain the best grass that may be 
found on the highest Alps. Such is our life — to fall 
back before the snow, and take possession of the 
ground again when the snow leaves it.” 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 59 

‘^Have you many cows, and where are they?"' 
asked Herman. 

I have the care of twenty-four, sir. They are 
now scattered about the Alps on the hills and 
mountains; a youth who assists me keeps and 
watches over them that they may not wander too 
far away.’' 

“ But how can you milk twenty-four animals who 
wander over the inaccessible rocks ? ” 

It is hard work, indeed, sir ; but not so difficult 
as you think. The cows assemble twice a day, upon a 
given signal from the Alpine horn, or of themselves, 
at the Sennhutte to be milked.” 

“ Grass must be very poor on these cold heights ; 
the cows cannot yield much milk here,” observed 
the young physician. 

‘‘ Excuse me, sir,” said the young shepherd, '‘this 
is a mistake. The Alpine grass is very soft and 
rich. Our good cows yield each day, when upon 
the mountains, fifteen to twenty litres of milk, and 
one of these cows of itself can produce a hundred 
francs’ worth of cheese in a single summer. You 
see, sir, these poor beasts return in full measure the 
care that is given them ; without cattle Switzerland 
would be a desert ; with its cattle, and because of it, 
it is a land blessed of Heaven.” 

Herman had taken in his hand a piece of cheese, 
and asked while looking at it : 

" You made this cheese here yourself? ” 

"Yes, sir.” 

" It is that cheese so much appreciated over the 


6o 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


entire world, and known in France under the name 
of Gruyere cheese ? 

“ That’s so, sir — Greyerzer Kase, Schweizer Kase!' 

Will it be trespassing on your kindness to ask 
you how this excellent cheese is made ? ” 

The shepherd rose and said : 

The gentlemen are desirous of obtaining infor- 
mation; well, if they will follow me, I will show 
them how we make the cheese ; it is very simple ; 
but the other nations cannot learn it of us ; it is the 
Alpine grass which gives it the good taste, and 
causes the superiority of our cheese.” 

He conducted them to another room, which he 
called the cheese-dairy, and said to them : 

‘‘ We first scald the milk, then we cause it to cur- 
dle by means of rennet ; then we draw off the whey ; 
we then work and knead the white cheese to express 
\ as much of the moisture as possible; then we shape 
the fresh cheeses as we wish, and cover them with 
cloths dipped in brine, and range them on shelves 
to be cured. Every day the cheeses are turned 
and cloths moistened. Finally the cheeses are 
transported into the valley, where they are kept until 
they have reached their full maturity. In this con- 
sists all the art of making cheese upon the Alps, 
gentlemen.” 

The Flemings thanked him for his kindness, still 
asked for a few further details, and returned to place 
themselves at the table. 

The shepherd had remained in the cheese-dairy 
to arrange something ; he came and went with a 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


6i 


basket in his hand, continuing his daily work until 
the moment when the travelers rose, and called him 
to pay their scot. 

They did not ask for his account, but placed in 
his hand a small gold piece, saying if it was too 
much he could keep the change as remuneration for 
his politeness. 

The man thanked them, and when on the sill of 
the cabin door, he said : 

“Two hours more, sirs, and you will reach the 
hotel on the Faulhorn.“ 

“ Still two hours,” sighed Max Rapelings. “ We 
have already been six hours under way.” 

“It is probably because the gentlemen have 
rested often, and for a long time. On leaving this the 
road becomes easier, and follows for a long while an 
almost even surface. A pleasant journey, gentle- 
men.” 

“B-r-r! it freezes here,” growled Max; “it makes 
me shudder; suppose we put on our overcoats?” 

“No, no; let’s walk a little faster; in three min- 
utes we will be in a perspiration. You see now the 
road is not so smooth as the honest shepherd 
imagined.” 

“You are right; heat obtained by action is the 
most wholesome. Let us make haste.” 

They walked on for a long while with light 
steps, talking gayly upon various subjects, as well 
as the little glove. This time Max consented to 
look upon the singular incident less lightly, and ad- 
mitted there was something astonishing and even 


62 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


wonderful in the fact of the glove being so often 
found. Herman insisted it was the same glove the 
young girl had dropped near the bear-pit at Berne ; 
Max denied it; but, however this was, he had 
thrown the glove into a torrent near the Zweilus 
chenin^ he had pitched it out of the window in the 
darkness at the Grindelwald, he had sent it into a 
frightfully deep abyss on the mer de glace, and the 
glove had each time been recovered — it had even 
followed them to the Faulhorn. If this was only 
the natural course of events, they were obliged to 
admit that chance had made an almost complete 
romance. 

Finally, returning again to his passion for jesting. 
Max resumed: 

“Yes, it is a romance, and disturbs me not a 
little. For if chance has pushed this adventure so 
far, chance will possibly accord it a denouement. 
Who can affirm that the end may not be a tragic 
one?“ 

“You cannot be serious ten minutes,” muttered 
Herman ; “ if my mind were enfeebled, your ridic- 
ulous talk would fill my head with nonsense. The 
Russian is now probably twenty or thirty leagues 
from here, and all intercourse between him and our- 
selves is forever at an end. You shake your head; 
do you doubt it?” 

“ I am almost entirely convinced to the contrary.” 

“ What reason have you ? ” 

“ Listen, Herman, listen, for now I am going to 
speak seriously. You remember that this morning, 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 63 

after resting and gazing at the open valley, we 
crossed a thick woods ? ” 

“ Certainly ; it was then you remained behind to 
detach some moss from the trees.” 

“ And you remember, too, that for more than an 
hour I was silent, and did not reply to what you 
were saying, any more than if I were as deaf as a 
beetle?” 

‘‘ What does this mean, for heaven’s sake ! ” cried 
Herman ; “ if you were deaf, it was from fatigue.” 

“ No, Herman ; • I did not dare tell you my 
thoughts, lest this confidence might alarm you.” 

“ Then why do you do it now ? ” 

‘‘ I have had an hallucination, a vision, fruit of 
my troubled brain. It is so frightful to see one’s 
best friend in a most horrible position ! ” 

“Ha! ha!” said the young lawyer, laughing, 
“ here you are about finding a tragical denouement 
to our romance. Let me see if you have a fruitful 
imagination.” 

“ Think of it as you please, Herman ; here is the 
thing without exaggeration, in all its simplicity. 
While I advanced across the sombre woods, think- 
ing and dreaming, I suddenly saw, through my 
soul’s eyes, a country entirely formed of rocky 
mountains and frightful abysses ; we, with our alp- 
enstocks in hand, walked short of breath and sweat- 
ing, until such time as we reached the borders of a 
valley whose steep sides and the immeasurable 
depth gave us the vertigo. Then something aston- 
ishing, something inexplicable attracted my sight. 


64 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


On the other side of the ravine was the Russian, 
with the pale maiden beside him. Whilst I di- 
rected my looks towards them, I saw with aston- 
ishment that the young girl was engaged disentang- 
ling a skein of thread. This thread, which seemed 
spread over the valley, was of the color of blood. 
Following it with my eyes, I saw that the young 
girl held one of the ends, and was drawing it 
towards her, while the other end was attached to 
your heart, or rather, to the glove you carry in 
your pocket-book, which lies upon your breast. 
You doubtless felt the secret attraction, for you 
called me to your assistance, exclaiming that the 
abyss exercised upon you a magnetic power, and 
you would infallibly precipitate yourself into it, if I 
did not hold you back. I seized you by the mid- 
dle of your body, and we both struggled, uniting 
our strength ; my blood curdled in my veins, a mor- 
tal chill ran down my spinal column, for I felt con- 
vinced all efforts were useless, and the pale maiden 
would draw us into the gulf, whose deepest depths 
opened wide before us like a horrible tomb, and 
indeed nothing could be done; the thread gave way 
more and more ; we staggered on the edge of the 
gulf, our feet lost their last support, I fastened my- 
self to your body, and we rolled into the frightful 
abyss.*’ 

‘‘ Does the romance conclude thus ? ” said Her- 
man, in a stifled voice. 

No, the vision did not come to an end in this 
way; but yet a moment. We did not fall into the 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


65 


abyss, but we flew, attracted by the magical power 
of the thread, to the other side; there the pale 
young girl received you in her arms with a joyful 
cry of triumph, which resounded upon the moun- 
tains. As to myself, I flew to the arms of the Rus- 
sian, who held me against him, almost breaking my 
sides; then the Russian raised his hand over his 
head and cried : ‘ Blessed be the betrothed of the 
nymph of the abyss ! May he become the king of 
the land of darkness, and take possession of his 
kingdom.’ Saying this, he shook you violently, 
and you and your betrothed were precipitated at 
least ten thousand feet into the gulf. I had extri- 
cated one of my hands, and seized the Russian by 
the throat ; but he, without being in the least 
moved, said to me : 

‘/‘Your betrothed’s father must be present at 
your nuptials ; the friend of the lover must conduct 
the affianced to the altar. Come, my fine fellow, 
it needs but a single leap ! ’ 

“ We followed you into the bottomless abyss, and 
I only reached it reduced to bits and fragments. 
Thus finished the romance, just as combats do, for 
the want of combatants. There, you have an artis- 
tic conclusion. Of all the personages, nothing re- 
mains but legs and arms, and again, in what a state ! ” 

Herman, who had not listened without being im- 
pressed, finally broke out into a noisy fit of laugh- 
ter ; the young doctor did the same ; he was very 
proud of his story, which, according to him, could 
be compared favorably with the romances of our 
3 


66 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


day, where things much more wonderful still are 
treated as possible and probable. 

Herman admitted that the narrative was artistic- 
ally conceived; but it needed, as he said, to be 
called ‘‘ Max Rapelings,” to hang together so mon- 
strous an assortment of serious buffoonery. 

While talking in this way they still advanced, 
.stopping for a moment on the borders of Lake 
Bachalp. It was a large extent of water in a rocky 
basin between mountains. They exclaimed at the 
sight ; it seemed strange to them to find again at a 
height of seven thousand feet a lake which was nav- 
igable for boats. 

A short time after, they saw snow hanging to the 
sides of the mountain, and even passed very near 
to it. They felt at the same time that the air be- 
came very cold, and began shuddering each time 
they seated themselves for only two or three min- 
utes to obtain rest, on the side of the road. 

‘‘ It is astonishing I am not half so tired as I was 
this morning,'' said Herman. “ I think at the end 
of a few days one would become entirely accus- 
tomed to these ascents." 

‘‘ It is the effect of the harsh, cold air," said Max, 
‘‘ the heat we generate in ourselves by dint of walk- 
ing seems to make us wrestle with exterior cold ; 
and since the walk and the heat have become for 
us a source of comfort, you should not be surprised 
we are not tired." 

They had climbed up some steps cut in the side 
of the rock. 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


67 


‘‘ See, above there, gentlemen, is the Faulhorn ho- 
tel ; an hour more, and we will be there,*’ said the 
young guide. 

“Still another hour?” reiterated Max, “and we 
have already been three ! Come, take courage, Her- 
man, otherwise we will not reach there to-day.” 

“ What are you talking about courage ? ” said 
Herman, laughing; “ does any one of us linger be- 
hind, if not you, who have had time enough to un- 
ravel the bloody thread of your vision ? ” 

“ Tell me, my friend, at what hour do they dine 
at the Faulhorn ? ” asked Max of the little guide. 

“ At two o’clock, I think, sir ; but they prepare a 
dinner at once for those travelers who desire it.” ‘ 

“ Probably one cannot obtain much ? ” 

“ Oh, yes, sir.” 

“ Meat also ? ” 

“Yes, fresh meat, and all that the gentlemen had 
at their hotel of the Grindelwald. On the Faulhorn 
dwells an excellent innkeeper, very obliging, and 
who understands cooking as well as the best French 
cook. I have heard travelers say so often.” 

“ Ah ! this is good,” exclaimed Max, “ I am 
going to enjoy myself well, and I advise you, Her- 
man, on this occasion not to watch the motion of 
my hands ; you would become dizzy. Forwards, 
forwards — I fancy I smell the scent of the cooking.” 

“I should really like to know,” said Herman, 
“ which of us two is the hungrier — a peculiar hun- 
ger — a hunger after warm food.” 

“Yes; hot soup, hot meat, a leg of mutton, were 
it only a leg of goat.” 


68 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


Do not mention these appetizing viands ; I feel 
that my stomach is dancing for joy” 

“ From where does this food, do these provisions, 
reach the Faulhorn?” 

It is all brought up the mountain on the backs 
of men, gentlemen.” 

Finally, after walking nimbly during a good half 
hour, the Flemings reached a frame house situated 
at the foot of a mountain shaped like a keel. 

That is the inn of the Faulhorn,” said the 
young boy; ^‘but to enjoy the view which attracts 
tourists hither, you must be up there on the most 
elevated point. It is a fifteen minutes* climb.” 

‘‘ Yes, yes,” growled Max, we have time enough. 
I must just go in, however, and see how the kitchen 
is behaving.” 

They entered the hotel, where five or six travel- 
ers were about taking some tea or coffee. 

A round, fat man came to meet them, with a 
smiling face, saluted them with some friendly 
words, and inquired in very good French whether 
they would spend the night on the Faulhorn. 

‘‘ Yes, sir,” replied Max; ‘‘but the long ascent, 
you understand — we are famished, and would gladly 
eat something.” 

‘'A dinner?” 

“Yes, yes; a complete dinner.” 

“ I regret that just now I have nothing very great: 
a roast, and a shoulder of chamois.” 

Max gave a bound as though he wished to em- 
brace his host. 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


69 


‘‘ Herman, my dear Herman — some chamois, 
some chamois flesh,” he cried, “ how good it must 
be, on a mountain more than eight thousand feet 
high.” 

‘‘ Are the gentlemen in a hurry ? ” 

‘'A hurry? — we are dying of hunger.” 

“ I shall need a good half hour to prepare the 
dinner ; the gentlemen must be patient until then.” 

‘‘ Give us a glass of kirsch, while waiting ! ” 

The young guide approached and gave the two 
friends their overcoats. 

“ Gentlemen,” he said, ‘‘ it is very cold here.” 

“ This is true,” replied Herman ; ‘‘ it is like mid- 
winter with us; the sharp air affects me; let us 
hasten to put on our coats. Is there no fire here ? ” 

“ If the gentlemen want fire they have but to ask 
for it ; but wood is as dear up here as bread ; it is 
also brought up on men's shoulders to the top of 
the mountain.” 

The host poured out for the travelers the kirsch 
that had been asked for, and said to them : 

“ Yet a half hour more — a good half hour — I will 
do my best to prepare you a suitable meal.” 

“And there will be chamois flesh ? ” 

“ Chamois flesh for ten people. Should the gen- 
tlemen while waiting like to climb to the top of the 
Faulhorn, they can procure blankets here for one 
franc.” 

“ Blankets ! — what are they for.” 

“ It is very cold on the summit of the Faulhorn, 
sirs; one wraps a blanket around one like a cloak; 
without it one suffers up there.” 


70 


THE PALE 'YOUNG MAIDEN. 


Well, your idea is good, sir ; we are going to 
climb to the Faulhorn — it will help to pass the time.’’ 

Two white woolen blankets were brought, like 
those which are used to put upon beds, and they 
were thrown over their shoulders. 

Max Rapelings nearly burst out laughing when 
he saw his friend walking before him thus accoutred. 
He talked of ghosts and the three magi ; but Her- 
man, who laughed equally loud at the appearance 
cut by the young doctor, did not hear what he said. 

As the road led up almost perpendicularly, they 
needed all their strength, and did not speak until 
after a quarter of an hour’s ascent. They reached 
the summit of the mountain, where they halted in 
ecstacy with their arms extended heavenward. 

“ Well, Herman, what do you say about it ? ” 
asked Max, after some moments’ silence. 

‘‘ I know not what to say or think,” replied his 
friend, plunged in profound admiration; “it seems 
to me we are here above the earth — an entire world 
is extended there beneath our eyes. Now I no lon- 
ger feel small in nature : I am great, great like a 
giant — I who can thus embrace with one glance ot 
the eye an entire creation.” 

“ Here are glaciers,” cried Max ; “ there are 
thousands, one might say. It is an immense ocean, 
with restless waves, and every wave is a mountain 
more than ten thousand feet high.” 

“ Hush, Max, hush for a moment. Let us enjoy 
this majestic spectacle in silence.” 

They looked around everywhere with surprise; 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 7 1 

SO bewildered by all these things -of such immeasu- 
rable size, which surrounded them on all sides that 
they rubbed their foreheads to clear their thoughts. 

Their guide approached, and pointing with his 
finger into space, said to them : 

‘^From here, sirs, one may see forty miles 
away, and even further. There is the Schreckhorn, 
12,500 feet high ; further on, the Finsteraarhorn, 
13,230 feet high; and yet further to the right, the 
Jungfrau, the Breithorn, the Blumlisalp, the Wild- 
strubel, and numberless other mountains whose 
names I could tell you, but they would not interest 
the gentlemen much. The distant points which 
our eye may distinguish from here are, on this side, 
the Jura mountains, on the frontiers of France; on 
the other side, Pilatus, the Righi, near the town of 
Lucerne, and over there, on the southern side, the 
Devil's Peak, a mountain situated in the valley of 
the Rhone." 

'‘But what is that surface of light green there, 
down that frightful depth ?" asked Herman. 

" It is a portion of the lake of Thun, sir." 

"The lake of Thun!" cried Max; "that blue sea, 
where there is a steamboat ?" 

" Yes, sir." 

" But how is it possible ? Herman, when we 
mounted the belfry at Ghent, we scarcely dared 
look down into the street, and here our eye takes 
in with one look alone abysses several thousand 
feet in depth." 

The young lawyer did not hear what his friend 


72 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


said; he was entirely absorbed in the contempla- 
tion of those thousands of mountains, whose white 
or blue summits seemed to nielt into one incom- 
mensurable mer de glace. 

“Naturalists,” he said, dreamily, “teach that be- 
cause of the absence of water, lava is nothing but a 
desert and lifeless world; it is thus the moon’s orb 
must be — silent and inanimate chaos.” 

“ The snow we see is eternal,” said Max; “ under 
such a shroud no spark of life can shine. Will this 
world of ice remain dead until the end of time ? 
The thought appals me.” 

They again relapsed into silence and looked 
around them. The abysses above all captivated 
their attention, and they frequently remained some 
moments mute with surprise, gazing down into the 
frightful depths which opened like so many yawn- 
ing and sombre crevasses between the nearest 
mountains. 

“ Does this perspective produce the same impres- 
sion on you it does on me, Herman ?” finally asked 
the young doctor. “ It appears to me one would 
soon have enough of a spectacle where all appears 
like a uniform and inactive lump; at all events, the 
details are valueless. These majestic giants cry 
out to us, ‘ You should look upon us, us alone, and 
no others ; ’ but each time our eyes are turned to- 
wards them, they are ever shrouded in snow, sleep- 
ing since the beginning of the world in their shape- 
less majesty. Why remain longer here ? Ice and 
snow, snow and ice — it is grandiose, but monoton- 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 73 

ous. Hunger is speaking, isn’t it? You would 
like to go down to the kitchen ?” 

‘‘ I admit it, my dear Herman, it is so terribly 
cold here, even under my phantom- like covering, 
that I have cramps in my stomach.” 

“ Cold, Max ! with these thick coders ? I am 
perspiring.” 

“Yes, doubtless with admiration and enthusiasm. 
I am so worn out I would give all the mountains in 
the world for a chamois cutlet.” 

“ Let us remain awhile longer, Max. Such a 
spectacle is not enjoyed twice in a lifetime.” 

“ We will return here after dinner. What I parti- 
cularly wish to see from this point is the setting 
sun; that must be magnificent.” 

“ Gentlemen,” said the youth, “ they are calling 
out to us the meal is served.” 

“ Who calls?” 

“ The Alpine horn, sirs. I understand the sig- 
nal.” 

“ Hurrah !” cried Max, who went running down 
the mountain at the risk of breaking his neck, 
“ Chamois, chamois — I smell it !’' 

On reaching the door the boy guide said, ‘‘ Sirs, 
now I shall go to the office : if you need me, the 
host will have me called.” 

As they entered the hotel, our two Flemings 
found the meal was served. They were not to dine 
alone, for three other travelers had taken their 
places, and already held their spoons in their hands. 

Max Rapelings and his friend also seated them- 


74 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


selves, and ate their soup, and of the first dishes 
in silence ; but when at last the shoulder of chamois 
was brought on the table, the young physician’s 
tongue was loosed, and he engaged in an animated 
conversation with the other guests upon the taste 
of chamois meat. He said nothing more savory 
could be imagined; Herman, on the contrary, in- 
sisted the meat was dry, and only tasted well be- 
cause of the highly spiced and seasoned sauce. 
Opinions were equally divided among the guests. 

Thus the Flemings made the acquaintance of the 
three other travelers. They were three young Pari- 
sians, a painter, a notary’s clerk, and a traveling 
salesman. They had come from Meyringen by the 
grand Sheideck, and were to descend the next 
morning before sunrise towards the Grindelwald. 
Their gay spirits and bright wit so pleased our 
friends that they were again about to take another 
glass of Burgundy in their company, when daylight 
had already sensibly diminished. 

‘'Are we not going to reascend the Faulhorn to 
see the sun set ?” asked Herman of his friend. 

“ You make me think of it,” said Max. “ Would 
the gentlemen not like also to enjoy the spectacle? 
— it must be magnifient up there.” 

The Parisians accepted the proposal, and they all 
were soon climbing the Faulhorn together, wrapped 
up in white blankets, neck and ears bound round 
with pocket-handkerchiefs and scarfs, as if they 
were going in search of the north pole. 

On reaching the summit the joyful troupe be- 
came for a moment silent. 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


75 


The splendid spectacle the Flemings had beheld 
on the Schanzli at Berne, with such enthusiastic ad- 
miration, opened out before them ; but on a scale a 
hundred times vaster. All the western slopes of 
the glaciers appeared on fire; this fire was filled 
with thousands of different-colored tints ; it floated 
and waved in the sky, and rendered the icy summits 
transparent, as if they had become immaterial ; be- 
side these summits all ablaze, the valleys were de- 
tached like black and bottomless abysses, adding 
still more to the illusion, which made one believe 
the snow mountains did not belong to the earth, 
but floated free and imponderous in the ocean of 
space. 

The silence did not last long. The Parisians soon 
began to express loudly and with a torrent of words 
their impressions of this phenomenal majesty of 
nature; insensibly their gayety returned entirely, 
and not to be wearied, while awaiting the Alpen- 
gluheUy they took to making jokes and witticisms. 

When, finally, all the glaciers had become incan- 
descent, as if they were penetrated with a blood-red 
fire, one of them exclaimed : 

This is wonderfully grand, and indeed admir- 
able ; but it is already more than a quarter of an hour 
that we have stood here in an atmosphere of cold 
only ten degrees above zero. We have seen every- 
thing. I am going to do as the sun does — go down. 
Whoever is wise will follow me ! '' 

‘‘ He is right,” whispered Max in his friend’s ear ; 
‘‘ we must rise .to-morrow very early. I should not 


76 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


like to be roasted a second time by the sun. If we 
are not off by six in the morning, it will be a very 
foolish thing on our part.” 

“ I should still like to remain here for hours,” re- 
plied Herman, were it only to enjoy the still calm 
night, and see nature disappear in the bosom of 
darkness.” 

“ There ! the Parisians are already going down the 
mountain ; it is too cold here — it might become in- 
jurious.” 

** Well let us go to bed then, Max.” 

They hastened their steps to overtake the Pari- 
sians. Having reached the hotel, they each took 
the candle which was handed them — having, recip- 
rocally, wished each other good-night and a pleas- 
ant journey. . 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


77 * 


CHAPTER III. 

Some one rapped three or four times with vehem- 
ence at the sleeping apartment of our two friends. 

Max awakened hastily, and cried out : 

‘‘ What is the matter? What do you want ? '' 

‘‘ Gentlemen, it is five o’clock,” replied the young 
guide’s voice outside. 

I sha’n’t rise yet,” growled Herman, rubbing his 
eyes. 

Nor I, either,” asserted Max ; “ very well, my 
boy, knock again in about an hour.” 

They covered themselves once more in their 
blankets; but as they heard a great noise in the 
hotel of coming and going, and as the sound of the 
voices ascended from the ground floor to their room, 
they could not go to sleep again. 

After tossing about in their beds for more than 
half an hour, they rose and dressed hastily, for it 
was bitterly cold; then went down into the dining- 
room, where the stove was lighted. 

While they were breakfasting, their guide en- 
tered. 

‘‘Gentlemen,” he said, “there is still another 
traveler who has gone down towards Brienz ; it was 
for this I came to awaken you. It is, perhaps, 
pleasant for the gentlemen to make the trip in com- 
pany, the more so, as the weather is very foggy, 


78 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


and during the greater part of the morning very 
little of the landscape will be visible.” 

‘‘ It is a pity we did not rise ; perhaps, if we 
hasten we may be able to overtake them.” 

“ Hush!” interrupted Max in Flemish, ‘‘ do you 
not perceive there is something hidden under this ? ” 

'' What could there be ? ” 

“ The Russian who still crosses our path, and the 
thread that draws you towards him ; and this was 
really my dream last night.” 

Do not begin joking so early in the morning, 
Max.” 

And turning to the guide, he asked : 

Did we see this traveler here last night ? ” 

“No, sirs; he reached the hotel when you had 
gone up to the Faulhorn with those Frenchmen; 
he supped hastily and went at once to bed. His 
guide told me this gentleman had been more than 
once on the Faulhorn ; it is scarcely a quarter of an 
hour since he took the road to Brienz.” 

“ What does he look like ? Is he young or old ? 
What is his appearance ? ” 

“ He is a tall man, who speaks French and wears 
grey whiskers, which are almost white.” 

“Well! what did I tell you?” said the young 
doctor, himself astonished ; “ no doubt we are again 
going to meet the Russian in the midst of a desert.” 

“ Is he not accompanied by a young girl, who 
seems delicate ? ” asked Herman. 

“ He is alone with his guide,” replied the other. 

“Alone, all alone!” muttered the young lawyer, 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 79 

with horror. Heavens ! if it be he, what has he 
done with the poor girl 

‘‘Who knows, Herman, whether her mutilated 
corpse does not lie at the bottom of this gulf?” 

“ Say, my boy,” enquired Herman, who seemed 
really uneasy, “ is it true that this traveler is a long 
thin man with pale face and sparkling black eyes ?” 

“ No, sir; quite the reverse. He is rather stout, 
has heavy cheeks, large blue eyes, and so red a 
nose that I wondered whether he had not knocked 
it against something. He said laughingly to his 
guide that it was the effects of Burgundy wine.” 

Our two Flemings had not awaited the end of 
the reply, before they burst out laughing. The 
Russian with a nose reddened by wine ! This idea, 
which was destructive of every illusion, gave them 
cause to laugh at their own credulity. 

“ Sirs,” finally said the young boy, “ it would be 
well to commence the journey early ; now it is still 
cold and hazy, but later on in the morning, if the 
sun makes its way through the clouds, it will be- 
come very warm.” 

“ We leave immediately,” was the answer. The 
Flemings called the hotel keeper and paid their 
bill. A few moments after they were on the sill of 
the door, alpenstock in hand, ready to get under way. 

They looked around them in every direction, 
astonished to see nothing of what had so struck 
them the day before. 

All nature was overcast with a gray veil. The 
mountains, valleys and abysses had disappeared. 


8o 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


and were replaced by an impenetrable fog. It 
seemed as if the earth and skies were confounded 
in shapeless confusion. Our travellers could dis- 
tinguish objects perfectly some fifty feet off in every 
direction, and easily at a shorter distance ; but 
further still, their view was limited by a cloud of 
vapor suspended over them and around them like a 
closed curtain. When they got under way, following 
their guide’s footsteps, the young physician asked, 

“ What is the cause of this strange fog, my boy?’* 

‘‘ We are among the clouds, sir.” 

^^Among the clouds ! ” exclaimed Herman ; ‘‘Ah, 
we are in the clouds. There are some who say 
that on the highest mountains one may wash one’s 
hands in the clouds ; I do not see how this could 
be done here.” 

‘‘It is only said as a joke,” replied the boy; 
“ yet, gentlemen, there is some truth in it. On go- 
ing down lower we will probably encounter heavier 
clouds, and will then see that fog wets one as well 
as rain.” 

“ Hurrah ! ” cried Herman, “ this will afford us a 
new surprise. I was already out of humor when I 
saw the bad weather, but would now regret that 
the sun should suddenly dissipate the fog.” 

‘‘ Well, what is it ? ” grumbled Max. “ Shall we 
be compelled to go down in this way into this abyss 
straight in front of us, through the mist, without 
knowing what awaits us further on ? That is 
frightful!” 

When from the summit of the Faulhorn one looks 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


8i 


down on the side of Brienz, all the height seems to 
be but one piece of rock, almost perpendicular, 
which has a descent of over six thousand feet, pen- 
etrating to the bottom and meeting an immense and 
terrible abyss. 

This immeasurable depth, which had made them 
shudder the day before, our Flemings were now 
about to penetrate into. The prospect was not very 
encouraging, and for tourists who were novices, 
there was really some cause for fear. 

''Fear nothing, gentlemen,” said the guide; "the 
way is difficult, it is true, but there is not the slight- 
est danger. This is the way to go around the 
Faulhorn ; in an hour we shall reach a better 
road, that is to say we will not be obliged to keep 
to the side of the abyss.” 

"An hour!” growled Max, who wanted to stop, 
"an entire hour, to walk as we are doing, with our 
eyes fixed on that frightful gulf, in a path which 
must have been trodden by goats and chamois.” 

" Come along. Max, you are making us waste 
precious time,” said the young lawyer. 

" Yes, yes ; it is all very well, Herman, you at 
any rate have no responsibility ; but if any accident 
were to happen, it seems to me I should never have 
the courage to return home.” 

" But the boy says there is not the slightest dan- 
ger.” 

" If I could only see before me — but that infernal 
fog 1 One might run directly into a precipice with- 
out being aware of it.” 

3 * 


82 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


‘‘The boy knows the road; it is his business. 
Would you prefer remaining on the Faulhorn or 
returning to the Grindelwald ? '' 

“ Let us trust to God’s providence then, Herman. 
Flanders has not mountains as high as the sky, but 
at least one finds roads there smooth and easy, and 
one does not run the risk every moment of break- 
ing one’s — . Oh ! What the devil kind of a road 
is this? the stones slip away, rolling beneath our 
feet.” 

“ It is why this mountain is called the Faulhorn,” 
said the guide, “ as the gentlemen already know, Paul 
signifies rotten, worm-eaten. The mountain is 
formed of slate, which splits and breaks easily from 
dampness. The ground on the slope of the hill, 
where we are now walking, is entirely composed of 
heaps of stones, which have fallen for centuries 
from the summit of the Faulhorn, and which seem 
still to be slipping daily to the bottom. My father 
thinks the Faulhorn must once have been several 
feet higher than it is now, and that as time passes 
it will subside so as to become a little mountain, 
because its stone is not sufficiently hard.” 

“Yes, yes! ” grumbled Max, suddenly stopping, 
and planting his alpenstock between two stones, 
“ give us lessons in geology, as if we were sitting 
here on the benches of the university ; but if you 
think I will take another step, you are mistaken. 
Who in the devil was the first person who thought 
of conducting people on a road which is as zigzag 
as a folded piece of ribbon, at the extreme edge of a 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


83 


frightful precipice ? If one could at least observe a 
firm footing among all these rolling stones ; a single 
false step, and down we go a thousand feet through 
this terrible fog.” 

Herman thought his friend was joking ; he him- 
self perceived the path was not the easiest or pleas- 
antest, but put his trust in the guide’s experience. 

After some efforts to induce his companion to 
continue the journey, he said, in a half-offended 
tone : 

‘‘You speak of prudence. Max ? Is not prudence 
in many cases the cloak of fear ? For the most part 
are we not prudent in default of courage?” 

“ Courage, courage ! ” growled Max, “ I have al- 
ready told you that at home I was scarcely able to 
look out of the second-story window ; it is a fear 
that has pursued me since my childhood.” 

“We are freezing here; you are a doctor, and 
will be the cause of our catching a pleurisy.” 

“ Herman! at all events, for the love of Heaven, 
give me time to become accustomed to the sight of 
this abyss ; and you, my boy, are you quite sure 
there is no danger of falling down the precipice ? ” 

“ Impossible, sir — even if you wished it.” 

“This is a little too strong; were I to jump from 
here, would I not roll to the bottom shivered to 
atoms ? ” 

“ No, sir; I will prove it to you at once, for it is 
too cold and too damp here to remain longer. See 
— pay attention, gentlemen.” 

And the youth permitted himself to fall down on 
the side of the abyss. 


84 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


For the love of Heaven, be done with this fright- 
ful drama !” cried Max, becoming pale. 

The guide was stretched on the ground motion- 
less, a few steps off, with a sardonic grin on his face. 

He got up, turned towards the astonished Flem- 
ings and said: 

The gentlemen must perfectly see there is no 
danger. The side of the mountain appears to them 
much steeper than it really is. This is caused by 
the depth of the valley and the want of habit.’* 

I am a fool,” said Max, sighing ; but no matter, I 
sha’n’t be caught again on this road. Now let us 
keep going, for I am half frozen.** 

They walked a long while without exchanging a 
word, when finally they reached a point where the 
fog appeared to have partially melted away, at least 
about them; but they saw before them in the dis- 
tance a mist much thicker and quite white, with a 
definite shape, the exterior surface of which seemed 
formed of heights and depths like a chain of moun- 
tains. 

They stopped before this new spectacle to rest 
awhile. 

What is that ?” asked Herman. 

They are the clouds, sir,*’ replied the young 
guide. The people of Brienz when they now look 
overhead see above them a cloudy sky. It may be 
raining in the valley; it has undoubtedly rained 
some portion of the night” 

And the clouds the Brienz people see over their 
heads we see under our feet ? ** 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


85 


“ Exactly so, gentlemen ; in a few moments we 
will traverse one of those clouds ; it is suspended 
over there against the mountain, and lies entirely in 
our path. The gentlemen should button up their 
overcoats, for we will not leave the cloud without 
being somewhat wet.'' 

“ And if that white fog in the valley were a 
storm-cloud, we would see the lightning flash and 
hear the thunder roar beneath our feet ? " questioned 
Max. 

“ Certainly, gentlemen ; we see that very often." 

“ I do not know how I can make my mother be- 
lieve that," muttered Herman, thoughtfully. 
thousand feet above the clouds — above the clouds 
whence the rain falls upon the earth below." 

They continued their journey, their eyes fixed 
upon the cloud, which seemed to impede their pro- 
gress. The nearer they advanced the more evident 
it became to them that this cloud was but a heavier 
fog, and when they finally penetrated it, they only 
felt great dampness, which fell upon their heads and 
on their clothes like a gentle and abundant dew. 

At the end of a few moments their overcoats 
were, outwardly at least, entirely wet. 

The young doctor, who walked in advance with 
his hands extended, suddenly stopped and cried 
out, joyfully : 

“ Now, indeed, I may say I have washed my 
hands in the clouds ! See, see how wet they are ! 
I rub them one against the other, and wipe them 
with my pocket-handkerchief. Let people refuse to 
believe it, if they will ; yet it still remains the truth." 


86 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


The young lawyer imitated him, and they amused 
themselves a long while with the pains they took to 
gather the dew upon their hands, that they might 
truly say at home they had really washed them in 
the clouds. 

Finally the young physician exclaimed : 

“ Let us walk a little faster, to get beyond the 
cloud. How cold it grows — a cold that gets into the 
marrow of my bones, and goes through and through 
me. If this were to last some time, one might 
take a real bath here.” 

They began walking rapidly, and were almost in 
a run when the road made it possible. 

For some little time the path carried them 
away from the edge of the abyss. They had passed 
before a little lake, their guide pointed out under 
the name of the Hiittenbodensee, Further on they 
entered a thick woods of pine trees, entirely filled 
and penetrated with a gray fog, where a sad twilight 
reigned, as if night had come. They exchanged 
some observations on the sinister silence of these 
woods the daylight, sombre and obscure, much 
sadder than the darkness of night, and they ended 
by feeling themselves encompassed at this point by 
the melancholy of their solitary surroundings, so 
that they ceased conversation altogether. 

The road went down precipitately towards the 
bottom, and at times presented difficulties of a na- 
ture to intimidate the young doctor. Whether 
Max was ashamed of his recent cowardice, or 
whether, as he said, a man accustoms himself to 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


87 


everything, he skipped bravely out of the beaten 
track, and took pleasure in walking in advance of 
his companion as well as his guide. 

So that it was in that way he was the first to 
reach the skirts of the woods, where he stopped sud- 
denly with arms uplifted, and cried out like one 
asking for help — 

chamois, a chamois ! Quick, quick, Herman, 
a chamois ! Pah ! I believe the chamois knows 
how to fly. Heavens on earth ! he is already half 
a league off.’’ 

What are you talking about a chamois for ? 
You want to impose upon me.” 

“ What did you see, sir ?” asked the guide, look- 
ing around him. 

‘‘A chamois, my boy, a chamois.” 

Nothing is impossible, sir ; but I think you are 
mistaken.” 

Mistaken ! an animal of a deep brown color, re- 
sembling a large goat, with a whitish head and two 
little horns curved like a hook !” 

Really, sir, it must have been a chamois. Where 
did you see it ?” 

^‘Over there against the rock; he jumped side- 
ways and tossed about — yes, he seemed to have 
wings ; in the twinkling of an eye he was far away, 
and has disappeared behind the heights, in the fog.” 

'' This astonishes me, sir; chamois do not gener- 
ally allow themselves to be approached so near, 
and avoid every path trodden by the foot of man. 
This one may have been driven from the neighbor- 


88 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


ing mountains by huntsmen. Even this I doubt, 
but yet, according to what the gentleman says it 
can be no other animal than the chamois.” 

These animals must be very difficult to catch 
here,” said Herman. 

Very difficult, sir; it is only the strongest men, 
and the most venturesome, that dare select the dan- 
gerous occupation of chamois-hunters. The animals 
must be watched and followed to the highest Alps 
and the most inaccessible summits with great pru- 
dence : if one has not a sharp sight and firm foot 
there is risk in this sort of hunting of ending one’s 
life. In his youth my brother was a chamois 
hunter, and he has often made me promise not to 
venture to imitate him.” 

“ Near a wooden bridge thrown across a stream 
that flowed down below,” the guide explained, ‘‘ was 
the Giesbach, the source of the torrent which three 
miles further on, at Brienz, forms the waterfall which 
many tourists come to visit, and which falls into the 
lake in several successive cascades.” 

They had reached some green hills, where they 
suddenly perceived, unexpectedly, a great number 
of cows grazing here and there, almost to the very 
edge of the path. 

Max Rapelings stopped, hesitating, and refused 
to follow his comrade ; at any rate he looked around 
him to find another way. 

“ Come, now ; are you going to be afraid of inof- 
fensive cows ? ” asked his companion of him. 

‘'Not of the cows,” he replied; “but of the 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 8g 

Muni ; I think he is down there almost on our path, 
and looks upon us with a very unfriendly eye/* 

** See, now, how our young guide laughs at your 
fears.*’ 

‘‘ He may laugh as much as he pleases. I know 
what I read in Bcedeker ; as I am responsible, such 
warnings do not escape me; read rather at page 
131:* Wherever horned beasts are met, one should 
keep oneself as far as possible from the bull or 
muni.* Baedeker, who has traveled all over Swit- 
zerland, and who is consulted by everybody as an 
oracle, is, according to my opinion, better to be be- 
lieved than a youth whose nature is careless and 
improvident.** 

The young guide, followed by Herman, passed 
bravely in the midst of the cows. Max Rapeling, 
grumbling and angry at his friend’s imprudence, on 
the contrary, went a long way round. 

The path being finally crossed, they once more 
discussed the question, and ended by both laughing 
over it. 

Herman spied a hut, and asked the guide : 

‘‘ Can we procure cheese there ?** 

“ Bread and cheese, butter and milk, sir,” replied 
the boy. 

Hardly had they gone a few steps further than a 
traveler appeared in the doorway. 

Heavens, the Russian !” cried Max, stopping 
suddenly. 

'' Can it be possible ?” stammered Herman, sur- 
prised. 


90 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


But, when the stranger, followed by his guide, 
quitted the hut to come to meet them, the youth 
said : 

‘‘ It is the traveler who left the Faulhorn hotel 
this morning. He also is going to Brienz.” 

‘‘ No, it is not the Russian,** replied Max ; this 
one is stout, with a florid face.’* 

*‘Are the gentlemen going to Brienz ?’* asked the 
stranger, when he came up with them; ‘'for in 
that case we can travel in company,** he added in 
French. “ You, perhaps, mean to partake of some- 
thing in the Sennhutte ? I suffered from cold there, 
and am going to try to get a little warm ; I shall, 
therefore, precede you, but will walk slowly enough 
to allow of your soon overtaking me. Good-bye 
for the present, then, gentlemen.** 

As he said this, he walked away with his guide. 
The Flemings entered the hut, and asked for bread 
and cheese. 

During this short repast, Herman made some 
remarks on the likeness of this traveler to the Rus- 
sian, at least as regarded his figure and gray whisk- 
ers ; but the young doctor ate hastily, and did not 
reply. 

“ Have a care. Max, you will choke yourself,** 
said Herman, laughing. “ Well, why do you shake 
your head with such a serious air ? Are you still 
asking yourself whether this traveler is not the 
Russian ? We have no time here to amuse our- 
selves with trifles.** 

“No, no! you are mistaken quite; another 
thought occupied my mind.** 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


91 


“ What was it ?” 

‘‘ Well, I think that stranger was the one who 
conversed with our Russian and the pale maiden 
at the Grindelwald/* 

‘‘Are you sure, Max?” 

“ Not very, but I risk nothing in asking him. It 
would be strange that here, lost in the fog, in the 
midst of a savage nature, we should learn who was 
the man who has so preoccupied and tormented us 
since we reached Switzerland.” 

“ Yes, and we might receive some information as 
to the unhappy fate of the pale young maiden.” 

“ Come, let us eat our bread and cheese as we 
walk along. Settle with these good people. I am 
impatient to know whether I am mistaken.” 

They resumed their walk with great rapidity, and 
at the end of a quarter of an hour had rejoined the 
traveler. 

“ Foggy weather, gentlemen,” said the latter as he 
walked along, “ for you, who probably travel to see 
Switzerland, this is very much to be deplored. As 
to me, I do not care, provided I can tire myself. 
Every one in my family suffers with gout; my father 
died of it. For the last six or seven years, I trav- 
eled through Switzerland on foot, not for the sake 
of seeing anything, but to protect myself from gout. 
An old German physician advised me to do so. Up 
to this time I have been able to keep my enemy off, 
though on occasions I do not deny myself a bottle 
of wine.” 

“ Has not the gentleman just come from the 
Grindelwald ? ” asked Max Rapelings. 


92 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


From what other spot could I come ? ’’ 

“ Excuse my indiscretion, sir ; did you not con- 
verse there with a stranger who was in a carriage ?’* 
I do not remember.'' 

‘‘ With a Russian." 

‘‘A Russian ? I know no Russians." 

“A gentlemen, who was accompanied by a young 
girl, pale and sickly." 

‘‘Ah! now I know what you mean. And you 
think that gentlemen is a Russian ? " 

“ Yes." 

‘‘A Russian 1 " exclaimed the gentleman, break- 
ing out into a loud fit of laughter ; “ a Russian ? 
He is a Fleming, like myself — a Fleming, from 
Gotteghem, near Ghent." 

Herman and Max exchanged glances of surprise, 
then were somewhat confused at their simplicity ; 
but, finally, they imitated the hilarity of their inter- 
locutor. 

“ You are a Fleming from Gotteghem, and we are 
Flemings from Ghent," said Max, in his mother- 
tongue. “ Let us then make use of the language of 
our dear country." 

“Ah, ah ! long live the people of Ghent I " cried 
the traveler. 

“ How it rejoices our hearts," resumed Herman, 
“ each time we hear our mother tongue in a strange 
land; it is as if the town of Ghent appeared 
through the fog before our eyes. Is it not pleasant, 
sir, to hear one’s native language spoken unexpect- 
edly in the mountains?" 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


93 


‘‘It matters little to me/' replied the traveler, 
“Flemish or French are alike, so that I protect 
myself from the gout. You seem astonished, gen- 
tlemen; but I am a guano merchant, which is 
equivalent to saying poetry, and I — " 

The roughness of the road somewhat distanced 
our young friends from the traveler, who had not 
slackened his speed. 

“ Now," said Max to Herman, “ even I regret 
our dream is dispelled. Farewell all Russians, 
pale maidens, and tyrants. This will now subside 
into a commonplace story of peasants. I give you 
leave to throw away the glove, Herman." 

“ I am almost inclined to follow your advice," re- 
plied his friend ; “ however, no — I shall keep the 
glove as a souvenir of our credulous simplicity. 
Here we seem to have reached a less difficult por- 
tion of the road. We may be able to talk more at 
our ease." 

Herman walked beside the guano merchant, and 
asked him : 

“Sir, would it be permissible for us to know the 
name of the person we took for a Russian ?" 

“ His name is Jacques Halewyn." 

“ It seems to me I have heard that name before. 
And the daughter's name, what is it ?" 

“ His daughter? his niece, you mean? her name 
is Florence Halewyn; she is the daughter of his 
brother. It seems, gentlemen, as though Mr. 
Halewyn and his niece inspired you with great in- 
terest ?" 


94 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


''Yes, it is a singular thing,'* replied Herman, 
" we have met the gentleman and the delicate young 
girl some five or six times, and we imagined — why 
I cannot tell — that he was a bad man, and made the 
young girl very unhappy.’* 

" You were not mistaken, gentlemen; he is in- 
deed a bad man, an egotist and heartless.** 

" A tyrant?** 

" A cruel tyrant.** 

" And she, sir ?** 

" She ? is the most miserable creature on earth.** 

" Heavens ! what do you mean by this, sir !** 

" I mean that she is unhappy, utterly unhappy.** 

" I pray you, sir, forgive all these questions,** said 
Herman ; " What we dreamed of on the journey 
might possibly be true ? The Russian vanishes, 
but the unhappy fate of the poor young girl remains 
a fact ?’* 

" Come now, don't begin to dream again," replied 
Max Rapelings, laughing ; " Mr. Halewyn is an 
uncle who has brought his niece to Switzerland to 
restore her health." 

" You are mistaken, sir, and your friend is right," 
resumed the merchant ; " this uncle is a heartless 
tyrant, a man who understands nothing in the world 
but his own interest. I know something about it ; 
he has already had two lawsuits with me ; to get 
what belongs to me, he accuses me of having en- 
croached upon his land. You would not believe 
how avaricious and miserly this man is." 

"A miser!" muttered Max, "and he travels with 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


95 


his niece into Switzerland, and has her carried up 
the mountains ; yes, up to the glacier of the Grin- 
del wald. That costs money.” 

“Yes, that costs money; but what is this to a 
miser who does it merely that he may lay hands on 
an inheritance of two hundred thousand francs that 
does not belong to him.” 

“ You spur my curiosity, sir,” said Herman, “and 
if you would be good enough — ” 

“ To give you the facts more in detail ? Why 
should I decline ? They are facts known and told 
in our Commune and the adjacent villages. 
Try to walk beside me, gentlemen: I will make 
you acquainted with this hard-hearted man, as he 
is.” 

And he gave his young companions the following 
narrative, interrupted from time to time by the in- 
equalities of the road : 

“Jacques Halewyn’s father, who lived in Ghent, 
made a good deal of money during the time of the 
Dutch, in the sale of cottons. At his death he left 
both his sons half a million. According to public 
rumor Jacques Halewyn must now possess six 
hundred thousand francs ; he sees the opportunity 
for appropriating an additional two hundred thous- 
and francs, and devotes all his life to attaining this 
end. Florence is his brother’s daughter ; she is an 
orphan, and Jacques Halewyn is her guardian. He 
keeps the unfortunate girl shut up in his chateau — ” 

“Ah ! he has a chateau then?” said Max. 

“ Yes, an old tumble-down one, so sombre and 


96 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


dull that merely to pass it by draws one’s heart 
into a knot.” 

‘‘Alas! the poor girl doubtless leads a very 
weary life in some dungeon.” 

“ Not so fast, my young gentleman,” said the 
merchant; “don’t put the cart before the horse. 
Jacques is wary enough to keep his odious project 
within a semblance of law, and give no one a right 
to meddle with his business.” 

“ His odious project 1” but what project?” asked 
Herman in tones of excited curiosity. 

“You do not understand? Jacques is worth 
more than half a million — young Florence enjoys a 
fortune of her own of over two hundred thousand 
francs. Should Jacques die first, then the niece in- 
herits from her uncle; but if he outlives the young 
girl, then the uncle inherits from the niece. There 
are no other heirs, and none other can present 
themselves, unless Florence marries. This is very 
clear, I think — sufficiently so I fancy to make you 
guess the miser’s project.” 

The young men expressed their incredulity by a 
slight shake of the head. 

“Don’t you understand” continued the former, 
“ that Jacques Halewyn to become possessed of his 
niece’s two hundred thousand francs must reach 
two ends; prevent the girl’s marrying, and make 
her die prematurely.” 

“ But this thought is horrible 1” exclaimed Her- 
man indignantly. 

Just then the road became suddenly so narrow 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 97 

and the descent so abrupt, that they could only walk 
one after the other with great difficulty. 

When it became possible to resume conversation, 

V Max asked : 

“ So the poor young girl has remained shut up 
in this old chateau since her childhood ? Has she 
then not received a suitable education ? This does 
not appear to me less terrible.” 

You are mistaken, sir, Jacques Halewyn is too 
cunning and clever to awaken the world's suspicions 
without necessity. His niece has been sent to the 
best educational establishments in the country; and 
when at times she returned home for a few weeks, 
he brought from Ghent at great expense the 
best professors and governessess that could be had. 
It would appear as if he wished to squander his 
fortune, in giving to his niece the same education 
as to the daughter of a king. If he did this, it was 
to hide his hand. As long as Florence remained a 
child, things went on in the same way; but when he 
imagined his projects might be suspected, he had 
her brought back home and shut up in his chateau. 
This domicile is for her an actual prison — sombre 
and dull as a prison. Poor Florence is there sur- 
rounded by servants who are old, morose, unfeeling, 
and are as devoted to Jacques as if they had sold 
him their souls^ — cold and cruel taskmasters, who 
from morning until night torment and distress the 
unfortunate victim by their cowardly espionage. 
You may fancy, gentlemen, what a terrible life this is 
for a young girl who yearns for a little freedom, 
4 


98 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


who knows she is handsome and rich, and possesses 
everything to make the happiness of a good man.'* 

“Indeed, it is a horrible life! Poor Florence!" 
sighed the young lawyer. 

“ Does Jacques Halewyn never have any visi- 
tors ? " asked Max. 

“ He receives company ; but what company ? 
Two people who live on their small yearly rents, 
the notary, two or three of his farmers, a business 
agent, and the secretary of the Commune, all men 
of fifty, sixty, and seventy-five years of age." 

“ Do not these people see what the niece is en- 
during, and how oppressed she is by this miserly 
uncle ?" 

“ No doubt they see it, but how does it affect 
them, since they only go to the chateau to fill their 
stomachs and imbibe good wine ? In a word, what- 
ever the reason, the unhappy Florence by dint of 
grieving has begun to languish and fade away, so 
utterly that the miser Halewyn will undoubtedly 
survive his niece. There will then be another two 
hundred thousand francs that the insatiate tyrant 
will lock up in his strong-box, and say, ‘ They are 
mine. 

“ No, that is not so certain," growled Herman, 
his teeth pressed together, indignantly. 

“ How, not certain ! do you suppose by chance 
Jacques Halewyn will be the first to die? The 
Halewyns are men who take firm hold as trees, 
and unless they are overtaken by some accident 
they live to the age of eighty. Poor Florence, too. 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 99 

might live a long time, if she were not hurried into 
the grave by being tormented to death.” 

“ But if what you say is true, sir,” remarked 
Herman, with more composure, “ there must be 
some way of rescuing the innocent victim from her 
cruel tormentor.” 

‘‘Yes, I advise you to try. In ten years you 
will not have succeeded in speaking a single word 
to the young girl — you more especially, young 
man, for you are of those whose face alone would 
cause Jacques Halewyn fear and anger.” 

“ This is true; we have already had a proof of it,” 
replied Max.” 

“ You do not understand me,” said Herman. “ I 
am a lawyer ; the law must furnish some means by 
which such misdeeds may be prevented, for it is a 
crime, a frightful crime, to sap the life of an inno- 
cent child through pure cupidity. There should be 
a family council ; if it becomes necessary, I will go 
and speak with the king’s solicitor. Ah ! were I sure 
you are not mistaken, sir, I would move heaven 
and earth to prevent this wicked man from thus de- 
stroying his own brother’s child.” 

“And you would be right, sir; but who speaks 
of destroying? — making her suffer mentally, tor- 
menting and causing her to die of ennui, yes.” 

“ Excuse any objection I may make, sir, but a 
doubt arises in my mind whether you may not be 
mistaken, without being aware of it, through appear- 
ances. If the uncle indeed wished to weary his 
niece to death, how is it he takes her to Switzer- 


lOO 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


land? Were one wearied anywhere else, it would 
most certainly not be in the midst of the marvels 
of nature, amid the majestic splendors we are now 
admiring/' 

“ Ah ! now thereby hangs another tale," replied 
the guano merchant. ‘‘You perceive, gentlemen, 
that an heiress with two hundred thousand francs 
as her fortune, with a prospective half million — such 
an heiress, I say, attracts a great many young men ; 
and if, to add to it, she is as beautiful as the unhappy 
Florence, it is very sure a number of foppish youths 
have dreams of her. And such is the case ; we see 
occasionally appear in our village, young men from 
town, frizzed and tricked out, who roam around the 
old chateau as if they had lost something ; but the 
bull-dog watches arid keeps the lamb shut up in the 
stable as soon as he catches a glimpse even of one 
of these wolves with straw-colored kids. Yet I 
think for the last month he has taken affright, and 
is beginning to realize that neither doors, nor locks, 
nor iron bars, nor vigilance, suffice for the safe- 
keeping of his ardently-coveted treasure. There is 
a young lieutenant of Lancers, who for six weeks 
strolled about our Commune, which he surveyed in 
more senses than one, telling every one he meant to 
rescue the young girl whether the miser uncle con- 
sented or no. According to the story, he had al- 
ready suborned one of the servants of the chateau, 
and Jacques Halewyn had discovered it through 
a letter of the lieutenant's which the girl was to 
deliver into Florence's hands. Then fear possessed 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


lOI 


him, and he hastened to Switzerland to prevent the 
lieutenant’s reaching his niece; he hopes in the 
meanwhile the regiment of Lancers to which the 
handsome lover belongs will leave the garrison at 
Ghent, or that the lieutenant will tire of his fruit- 
less pursuit, and will let his niece and himself alone. 
Believe me, whatever happens, the poor child is 
sentenced. Jacques Halewyn will be her heir, and 
the silent tomb will not accuse the miser.” 

The young men still asked a great many ques- 
tions of their traveling companion, but they gleaned 
nothing new from his answers. 

This conversation had tired them, and they 
walked along awhile in silence. 

Finally they reached a point where the beaten 
track went down precipitately, with sharp turns and 
twists, against the steep mountain. The merchant, 
more accustomed to this sort of exercise, reached 
the bottom some little time before his companions, 
and continued walking while they were still high 
up, which gave the young men, who were a little 
way behind, an opportunity of exchanging opinions. 

‘‘ That Jacques Halewyn is no inconsiderable 
blackguard,” said Max, at least if this man tells 
the truth.” 

” An egotistical cheat, an inhuman oppressor, 
worse than an assassin,” cried Herman ; “ yet I am 
glad chance threw in my way that cowardly robber 
of fortunes. I never thought to try a case, but now 
who knows if even with the little knowledge I 
possess, I may not extricate that poor, sorrowing 


102 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


lamb from the voracious wolfs claws. If she were 
to be beholden to me for a long and happy life, I 
would indeed thank God for giving me the noble 
profession of the law, with the power at the same 
time of turning it to account.'' 

‘‘ Your idea is not abad one," replied Max, “ pro- 
vided you act with entire disinterestedness." 

‘‘ What do you mean ? " 

‘‘ Do you suppose I do not see, Herman, what 
you are thinking about ? Hardly is the romance 
of the Russian at an end, than you are about to 
manufacture another. This begins to make me 
uneasy. With all these fine illusions in your head, we 
forget half the time we are in Switzerland. Let us 
rather open our hearts and minds to the beauties of 
nature." 

“ Why do you speak to me of romances. Max ? 
At least be serious once more in your life ; the thing 
is too important to be jested about. ’ 

‘‘ Say all you choose, Herman ; if ever you manu- 
factured a romance, you are doing it now." 

“ What romance do you mean ?" 

‘‘ Listen, I will tell you in three words. There 
was once upon a time a beautiful young lady who 
was oppressed by an inhuman guardian. A young 
lawyer took up her defense — worked, travelled about, 
pleaded, and behaved with such devotion and per- 
severance that he succeeded in rescuing the poor 
victim from the hands of her cruel persecutor. The 
young girl in gratitude gave her hand to the coura- 
geous advocate ; they married, had many children, 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. IO3 

and lived happily to a very old age. I have seen 
this drama represented with a happy ending at the 
theatre in Ghent when I was still a little boy. 
Dare to say this is not the romance you are about 
to manufacture, without perhaps being perfectly 
conscious of the intention ?’* 

You are tiresome and insupportable ! cried the 
young lawyer impatiently ; what you are saying is 
only ridiculous foolishness. Do you suppose if 
Jacques Halewyn came and said to me, ‘ Take my 
niece as your betrothed ' I would accept her ? The 
mystery is now solved, and with this the charm has 
fled, the power of the unknown. Pity alone re- 
mains, and the desire to make a beginning in my 
career of a lawyer by a great act of humanity. Do 
not laugh at my wish, do not turn the project into 
ridicule ; for I warn you for the first time in my 
life, I should feel myself obliged to conceal my feel- 
ings from you, and this would make me unhappy.*' 
I should not be less so, Herman/* replied the 
young Esculapius ; if I am mistaken forgive me, 
for indeed, could you wrench his victim from that 
miserable miser, it would be a good and noble deed ; 
and since you seem so resolved to attempt it — ** 
"‘Yes, as soon as we return to Ghent.” 

“ Well, then, I will help you. You know that 
Max Rapelings, though something of a jester, has 
his heart in the right place. Moreover, while we 
are friends, I will not allow you to do any good 
thing without having a share in it.” 

Herman took his hand and pressed it warmly. 


104 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


“I thank you, Max,” he said. "'Ah! I know 
indeed you have a noble heart, and would not deny 
me your assistance to rescue a poor child ! ” 

The guano merchant, thinking that the two 
young men remained behind because he walked too 
fast, had stopped to wait for them. 

** The fog will probably not scatter all day,” he 
said. “ Switzerland is only beautiful in fine weather; 
there are frequently these gray and misty days in 
the mountains. It has even happened to me in one 
of my former trips to remain a week without seeing 
the sun. But we must accept the weather as it 
comes. Still another hour and a half and we will 
be at Brienz, or, to speak more correctly, at the foot 
of the Giesbach. If you are tired, gentlemen, I will 
walk a little slower.” 

'‘We are not very tired,” replied Max, “and l am 
astonished at it. I have always heard it said it was 
more fatiguing to descend than ascend a mountain ; 
this idea is most assuredly without foundation.” 

“ That depends somewhat on the way we under- 
stand it,” replied the merchant. “ The descent is 
easier, indeed, but the next day one’s legs are stiff 
and one’s feet pain, that is, when not accustomed to 
long walks. This we do not feel on ascending ; a 
short rest restores one immediately.” 

When they had still walked some further distance 
in silence, the merchant asked : “ Are the gentlemen 
going to spend the night at the hotel of the Gies- 
bach, or at Brienz ?” 

“ Neither at one nor the other, sir,” replied Her- 
man. 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. IO5 

You mean to return as I do, perhaps, by the 
steamer to Interlaken ? 

‘‘ Nor that either, sir. We intend taking the dili- 
gence to reach Lucerne by way of Brienz.” 

It is too late for this to-day, gentlemen. One 
loses a good deal of time in conversing, while walk- 
ing along. We will not reach Brienz until mid- 
day. The last departure of the diligence is at 
forty-five minutes past eleven.” 

We will then be obliged to remain all night at 
Brienz,” said Max; it will be a day lost.” 

‘‘Yes, and you will find it pretty stupid. It will 
probably rain this afternoon. Moreover, except the 
Giesbach, there is nothing else to see at Brienz.” 

“An unfortunate accident!” cried Herman. 

“There is one way, however,” resumed the mer- 
chant, “ but it is costly. In taking a post chaise 
you would still reach Lucerne before night, the 
post chaise costs from seventy to eighty francs.” 

“ What do you think about it ?” asked Herman 
of his friend ; “ it is expensive, but it would perhaps 
be better than to waste a whole day uselessly.” 

“No, no! eighty francs are too much,” replied 
Max ; “ rather let us be somewhat bored. We can 
better employ the money.” 

“Are the gentlemen going to return home by 
the way of Lucerne ?” asked the merchant. 

“ No, our plan of travel is to reach Fluelen by 
crossing the lake of the Four Cantons, and to go to 
Geneva by the St. Gothard.” 

“ But, before that, we will climb the Righi, to- 
morrow,” added Max.” 


106 THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 

‘‘It is a magnificent mountain,” said the mer- 
chant. “ From the top of the Righi-Kulm there is a 
splendid and grand sight to be enjoyed. Now I 
come to think of it, you will there meet Jacques 
Halewyn and his niece.” 

“ Have they also gone to Lucerne, to make the 
ascent of the Righi?” asked Herman with surprise. 

“Yes, Mr. Halewyn told me at the Grindelwald 
he was going directly to Brienz and Interlaken, to- 
wards Lucerne, that he might visit the Righi. If 
you see him, salute him for me; it will please him, 
and as he does not wish me w^ell, I prefer to con- 
duct myself toward him as if I had no suspicion 
of it.” 

“Jacques Halewyn on the Righi?” muttered the 
young doctor; “ what think you of this Herman ?” 

“ It is rather serious, Max; I think we should not 
climb the Righi. If I am ever to see Mr. Halewyn 
again, I prefer it should be in Flanders, that I may 
snatch his poor victim away by legal means.” 

“Yet there are many hotels on the Righi, and 
we may possibly find means to avoid him. We 
cannot pursue our journey without having visited 
the Righi.” 

“ Say what you please. Max ; I will not ascend 
the Righi,” replied the young lawyer in decided 
tones. “ Were I again to meet that bad man, and 
he were once more to gaze at me defiantly, I should 
be carried away to commit some act of imprudence. 
It is not in this way I shall attain my end. He 
wounded me at the Grindelwald in my sense of 
honor, and I have not forgotten it.” 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. lO/ 

• 

“Well! we will let the Righi alone, and go di- 
rectly from Lucerne to Fluelen.*’ 

A little further on the merchant resumed : 

“ Do you not hear a certain roaring ? We are 
approaching the upper fall of the Giesbach. With 
this sombre overcast weather it is not fine ; this is a 
pity. The Giesbach which in seven leaps, that is 
seven falls, comes down from one rock to another, 
from a height of some twelve hundred feet, is one 
of the most remarkable sights of Switzerland, and is 
visited yearly by thousands of strangers. We are 
not very far from the upper fall, but to enjoy a more 
perfect view we must reach the spot known as the 
Terrace.” 

And, indeed, they began descending a hill thickly 
planted in trees, and soon saw beneath them the 
first fall of the Giesbach, which comes forth foam- 
ing and roaring from a narrow opening in the 
mountain, whose perpendicular side seems to rise 
at least four hundred feet. 

The hazy weather greatly decreased the pleasure 
they would have felt in gazing at the cascade, so 
that they hastened to proceed down a well-worn 
path as far as the Terrace. 

There, they obtained, as far as the fog would per- 
mit, a general view of all the Giesbach. Cascades 
leapt above and below them, but as the sheet of 
water was not very extensive, the spectacle did not 
produce upon them the impression they had antici- 
pated. 

The merchant said to them, “ If the weather is 


I08 THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 

fi 

good this evening, I advise you to take a boat at 
Brienz and return here. The trip is a pleasant one, 
and you will see an effect of light that is worth the 
trouble, though in my opinion they have rather 
overdone it. There in that hotel a bell is rung to 
let travelers know the spectacle is going to begin. 
A few moments after a report like the discharge of 
cannon takes place, the cascade is illuminated with 
Bengal lights, alternately white, green, and red. 
The Giesbach becomes like melted fire; its foam 
flecked with colored sparks seems transformed into 
a torrent of diamonds, rubies, and emeralds; but 
this sight, I confess, has only awakened in me a 
feeling of repulsion. What is gained by making 
this gorgeous nature resemble the transformation 
scene in an opera ? Bengal lights to produce dra- 
matic effects through the marvels of Switzerland ! 
And yet, this artifice, this phantasmagoria, draws 
every year more than twenty thousand tourists to 
the spot where we now are.’' 

“You are right, sir,” said Herman; “but since 
we do not know how to dispose of our time this 
evening, we will therefore come to view the illumi- 
nation of the Giesbach.” 

“ To make the little excursion still more agree- 
able, you should order your boat in advance, and 
above all, should hire one manned by young girls.’^ 

“Young girls?” repeated Herman; “young 
Swiss girls ?” 

“Yes, sir; they row like real sailors, and they 
look very graceful and pretty in their Swiss cos- 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. IO9 

tumes ; they sing while rowing pretty songs, quite 
charmingly and artistically.*’ 

“Yes, yes,” cried Herman, with animation, “we 
must sail in one of these boats.” 

“ This will recall to me my amiable friends in the 
beer-cellar at Berne,” added Max. 

“ Happy country, where man and nature combine 
to make earth a paradise ! ” cried Herman, enthusi- 
astically. “ Enchanting scenery, enormous moun- 
tains, blue lakes — every marvel in creation. And 
this is not enough: lovely young girls welcome 
you with a smile on their lips ; they impel the light 
boat on the glassy surface of the lake, singing lieds 
which transport you away from earth. If life may 
really be called a dream anywhere, it is in Switzer- 
land. What a beautiful dream this is.” 

“Ta, ta, ta! there you are again, riding your 
hobby,” said Max, laughing in a mocking tone. 
“As to myself, since we have begun to walk in this 
cold, grey fog, my admiration for this paradise has 
somewhat diminished.” 

The merchant, going down further, carried 
them to a spot where they could walk under one 
of the falls of the Giesbach, and told them that 
when the weather was fine and the sun shining, 
the view seen across the sheet of water of the cas- 
cade was magnificent. All nature then seems in 
motion, and colored with every prismatic hue. 

Having reached the foot of the Giesbach at the 
point where it empties into the lake at Brienz, they 
stopped a few moments more, but as the fog did 


110 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


not allow them to distinguish anything above them, 
the beautiful landscape was in a great measure lost 

They left with a feeling of sadness, entered a boat, 
and were conducted across the lake towards Brienz, 
where they disembarked a half hour later at the 
hotel of the Bear (Ours). 

As they expressed the wish to nave a good din- 
ner, the host told them they would do better to 
wait for the table d’hote that was to be served in an 
hour. , 

After resting awhile, the guano merchant pro- 
posed to them to walk through Brienz to while 
away the time. 

“ It is very true,” he said, ‘‘that there is nothing 
remarkable to see, particularly when the surround- 
ing landscape is hidden by the fog. But for people 
who have not been to Meyringen, Brienz offers 
some pretty specimens of Swiss architecture — that is 
to say, some of those graceful and singular frame 
houses, known by the name of chalets, which as- 
tonish strangers by their picturesque construction.” 

Max and Herman really took great pleasure in 
looking at one of the streets, which was, so to speak, 
almost entirely covered over by the salient roofs. 
Each house, however small, had its own balcony, 
which the carpenter had ornamented with carving, 
or on which he had endeavored to bestow an artistic 
shape. The staircase leading to the upper story 
was suspended to the lateral gables of the houses, 
and reached to the street. 

They had stopped at a fountain, where three or 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


Ill 


four young girls were engaged in washing clothes. 
Max Rapelings had even gone so far as to engage 
them in conversation ; and as they were not at all 
shy, they answered the questions with so much spirit 
that the young men might easily have forgotten the 
dinner hour, if it had not suddenly begun to rain. 

They hastened to say farewell to the young Swiss 
girls, and ran to their hotel, where they arrived just 
as soup was being served. 

Some persons had already taken their places at 
the table. They talked loud, and were generally 
complaining of the bad weather; some regretted 
that, in consequence of it, they had been deprived 
of many of the pleasures of the trip. 

Herman tried to induce his friend to secure a 
post-chaise, and, in his desire to take advantage of 
this means of transportation, was grumbling in an 
undertone at the slowness of the service. 

The merchant thought this great haste unreason- 
able, whatever might be the conclusion they should 
come to; for, according to his opinion, when one is 
anywhere comfortably seated, it is not well to be in 
haste to change one’s place, and, at all events, if 
they left for Lucerne they would reach there before 
nine o’clock, time enough to have a good night’s 
rest. It was raining very heavily just then, and the 
sky was extremely lowering; the carriage, there- 
fore, would have to be closed, for they could not 
expect to see much on the way. 

A gentleman, rather advanced in years, who was 
seated beside Herman and had. heard the conversa- 


II2 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


tion, said that he and one of his friends had also had 
the intention of going to Lucerne in a post-chaise, 
but had hesitated, owing to the expense. If the 
young gentlemen would go halves with them, it 
would only cost each one the fourth of the sum. 

The proposal being accepted, they begged the 
host to engage a postillion. 

The coffee had been served but a few minutes 
when the host entered the room and called out: 

“ Gentlemen, the post-chaise awaits you at the 
door.'* 

The young men shook hands with the guano 
merchant, and thanked him for his pleasant com- 
pany. 

They entered the carriage with their two new 
companions, the driver whipped up the horses, and 
they went off in a quick trot. 

It continued still to drizzle, and all nature was 
wrapped in a fog, which did not allow of any object 
being visible a short distance off. The young men 
deeply regretted not being able to enjoy the scenery 
they were passing through, and were content to ex- 
change a few words every now and then about the 
bad weather, or things not relating to their trip. 

Their new companions were persons advanced in 
years, who did not talk much ; one of them especially 
seemed to possess a caustic humor, and at intervals 
complained of his health. 

Whether the rain had caused the Brunigberg 
road to be slippery, or that the horses had not been 
pushed on, it was nearly six o’clock when they 
reached the town of Surnem. 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. II3 

There the morose traveler asked permission to 
alight for a few moments at the best hotel ; he felt 
the need of taking something warm, and wanted 
them to give him a cup of strong hot tea. 

Therefore the carriage stopped at the hotel which 
had been named, but as there was already another 
post-chaise in front of the door, they were obliged 
to place themselves a little to one side. 

They entered the hotel. 

Herman and Max had no desire to take tea, and 
seated themselves at a private table, where they were 
served with a glass of kirsch. 

It took a long time for the tea to be brought — 
the Flemings were becoming impatient. , The 
weather had greatly improved, and spots of blue 
could be seen in the sky through the clouds ; but 
the rain and fog had dulled the spirits of the young 
men, who for some moments had relapsed into 
silence. 

Herman mechanically drew forth his pocket- 
book and began looking through it. Max Rapel- 
ing, who surveyed him with a light and mocking 
smile, inquired of him : 

“ What are you looking for in your pocket-book ? 

‘‘ I do not know myself,'' replied his friend ; '' I 
am being bored here.” 

“ It is the glove that is working, without your 
being aware of it.” 

‘‘ No ; I am not thinking of the glove any more.” 

‘‘ Yet you are gazing at it, Herman ? What does 
it say to you ? ” 

4 * 


1 14 the pale young maiden. 

** Oh ! I have no idea of joking now. I am think- 
ing of nothing in particular.'' 

And, closing his pocket-book, he was about to 
put it away, when an unexpected apparition gave 
him such a sudden and violent shock, that he rose 
at once, and leaning his arms upon the table, he 
allowed the pocket-book to slip from his hands 
without perceiving it. 

Through a door that opened at the extremity of 
the room, Jacques Halewyn entered, followed by 
his niece. The old man visibly paled and a shiver 
ran through his frame when he saw the young peo- 
ple ; but he made believe not to have seen them, 
and precipitately beat a retreat through the front 
door. The young girl followed him with her 
head down, more out of health apparently and 
sadder than ever. 

A moment after, Herman heard the first post- 
chaise drive away. Without exactly knowing what 
he was about, and still impressed with this sudden 
meeting, he ran to the door. 

Neither he nor any one else had noticed that a 
sudden jerk of his overcoat had brushed his pocket- 
book off the table. 

He soon returned, threw himself on a chair, and 
said to Max, who was no less astonished than he — 

‘'Poor child, isn't she? Did you get a good 
look at her this time. Max? Alas! she will not 
live very long." 

" She has sorrow, great sorrow indeed," replied 
the young physician; "I am surprised beyond 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. II5 

words. Has it been written above we are not to 
move a step in Switzerland without meeting those 
who are inimical to our pleasure?” 

Inimical to our pleasure ? ” 

Why, yes ; since we are thus pursued by jeal- 
ous fate, all our trip has been spoiled. I thought 
we were going to forget the Russian, the tormentor 
and his victim, at least until we returned to Flan- 
ders — and by all that’s good ! here they ride up 
again before our eyes, as if they had come out of 
the ground. God knows whether at Lucerne we 
may not fall upon them at the same hotel. This 
time you behaved well, Herman ; but if he had in- 
sulted you anew by look or word ? ” 

'' Then, indeed, I should not have been master 
of myself; the very sight of that soulless man 
makes the blood boil in my veins.” 

‘‘ I am inclined not to go to Lucerne at all.” 

“ There is an infallible way of preventing it ; we 
will go to a second-rate hotel.” 

You are right, Herman ; but I know not — this 
means, which under ordinary circumstances I 
should regard as certain, does not inspire me with 
great confidence — it really appears as if we were 
bewitched.” 

Their two companions had risen and announced 
themselves as ready to continue the journey. 

Max and Herman followed them to the carriage, 
and muttered in a low voice against the fate which 
was always crossing their path in the shape of Mr. 
Halewyn and his niece, and which was probably 


Il6 THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 

preparing for them a new encounter. Their only 
hope was that the driver, in continuing not to press 
his horses, prevented their overtaking Mr. Halewyn 
before reaching Lucerne. 

In this way they came to Alpnach- Gestad, where 
the carriage stopped for a moment. The young 
men alighted to stretch their legs. 

Suddenly, Herman gave a cry of anxiety, as he 
felt in his pockets. 

‘‘ What has happened ? Have you lost any- 
thing?” asked Max. 

“ Heavens ! my pocket-book, my pocket-book ! ” 
muttered Herman, growing pale. 

“ Well ! why excite yourself in this way ? If your 
pocket-book is lost, buy another when we get to 
Lucerne.” 

‘‘ What a misfortune ! ” 

‘'Because the glove is in it? You astonish 
me, Herman.” 

“ The glove ! Who in the devil is thinking of 
the glove. You forget my money is in the pocket- 
book.” 

“ Your money?” 

“ Yes ; eight hundred francs in bills on the Bank 
of France. You know it very well.” 

“The devil!” exclaimed the young doctor, who 
became interested in his turn. “ This is a misfor- 
tune, indeed ; it would cut off our trip considerably. 
I have about the same sum, but it is not enough. 
We could write to your mother and await her an- 
swer at Lucerne. ‘But are you not mistaken? make 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. II7 

a better search into your pockets. Wait, I will go 
to the carriage and see if is not there.'* 

‘‘ No, no, it is useless," replied Herman, who re- 
mained immovable, absorbed in thought; “I know 
now where it is. I left it on the hotel table at Sar- 
nem. The sudden appearance of M, Halewyn and 
his niece so bewildered me that I forgot my pocket- 
book. What is now to be done?" 

‘‘The matter is very simple, Herman: bid our 
travelling companions farewell, and return to Sar- 
nem like the wind. Maybe the pocket-book is still 
on the table where you left it." 

“ Come, let us hasten ; a moment lost might be 
sufficient to prevent our finding it." 

They explained to their travelling companions 
that it would be impossible for them to continue 
their journey to Lucerne, hired another carriage, 
and ordered the driver to take them back to Sarnem 
without a moment’s delay ; from there the man was 
to take them back to Alpnach, and conduct them to 
Lucerne. 

They bowled along for some time without ex- 
changing a word ; Max was the first to break the 
silence. 

“ I am struggling against myself," he said, shak- 
ing his head; “ I am inclined to laugh at my own 
credulity, and am really ashamed of my supersti- 
tions. But it avails me nothing: I cannot get rid 
of the idea that it is that horrid glove which is 
bringing trouble upon us." 

“ Don’t joke, now, I beg of you, my friend," re- 


Il8 THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 

plied Herman. “Do not mention the glove any 
more ; such things may occur to any one through 
accident.^' 

“ Would you have lost your pocket-book if you 
had not drawn it forth to look at the glove?’' 

“ What a foolish question 1 M. Halewyn’s sud 
den appearance is the only cause” — 

“ But who or what had arranged matters in such 
a way as to make M. Halewyn appear, just as you 
had taken out your pocket-book, and thus cause 
you to forget it ?” 

“ Enough nonsense, Max ; the loss of those eight 
hundred francs, which would have enabled us to 
prolong our Swiss trip, is an unfortunate circum- 
stance. We not only lose our money, but also the 
pleasure which we promised ourselves. We cannot 
go to Geneva. I should not like to write to my 
mother about it, and who knows whether we would 
not be obliged to wait a whole week at Lucerne be- 
fore the money reached us? I am miserable; your 
perpetual jokes trouble me.” 

“ Why, Herman, I am not less grieved than 
you.” 

“ Why do you joke, then ? 

“ On the contrary, I am quite serious ; every one 
has at times his moments of worry. I cannot help 
matters. Here is a concatenation of odd circum- 
stances — something strange that frightens me. If 
you have lost your pocket-book, it is, it seems to 
me, because fate, or some other mysterious power 
regarded the event as necessary to impel us towards 
a certain end.” 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. I IQ 

“ What has happened since our arrival in Switz- 
land is incomprehensible, indeed!” replied Herman, 
sighing. ** These last four or five days my head has 
been stuffed with illusions and reveries, quite as if I 
had gone back to childhood. Hardly am I deliv- 
ered from these visions, than you, the cold and caus- 
tic Max, begin to dream in your turn, and give cre- 
dence to things of the other world. The matter that 
afflicts us, is it not in itself sufficiently grave ? And 
moreover, why do we speak as if the pocket-book 
were irrevocably lost.?^ Come now, banish these 
silly ideas. If we recover the pocket-book, with its 
contents, will not every reason for making this 
event appear extraordinary or supernatural disap- 
pear at the same time?” 

‘‘ Do you believe this ? Well then, you are mis- 
taken; whether you find the pocket-book or no, 
other complications will arise from this incident, you 
will see.” 

“ What are they?” 

“ Ah! that I can't tell. May be Jacques Halewyn 
is on his way to Flanders, and destiny wishes to 
oblige us to follow him.” 

Enough, hold your tongue. We are approach- 
ing Sarnem, and will soon know what awaits us.” 

A few moments later the carriage stopped before 
the door of the hotel, and the young men enter- 
ing went straight to the table near which Herman 
was seated when the apparition of M, Halewyn and 
his niece so inopportunely took him by surprise. 

They did not find the lost article either on the 
table or under it. 


120 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


They called the host and explained how Her- 
man deposited his pocket-book on the table, and 
had forgotten it on leaving. They were astonished 
not to find it, and did not doubt some one had 
taken it — probably to lay it aside until it should be 
claimed by the owner. 

The host gave them a glance indicative of mis- 
trust and displeasure, especially when they told 
him the pocket-book contained eight hundred francs 
in bank-bills. 

‘‘ Be quiet and prudent, gentlemen,” he said to 
them ; “ had you forgotten a pocket-book or any- 
thing else in my house, you would have found it in 
the same place, or I would have sent it to you im- 
mediately. My hotel is safe, and all my servants 
are trustworthy ones. Therefore, say nothing that 
may cast a doubt on their honesty. You have 
probably lost your pocket-book elsewhere.” 

The young men continued to search, moving 
chairs and benches. While they did so, Herman 
repeated several times that he knew he was not 
mistaken, and was perfectly sure he had placed his 
pocket-book on the table, near the window. This 
persistence irritated the inn-keeper more and more. 
He called for his family in a loud voice, as well as 
for his servants, and said to them: 

‘‘ These gentlemen insist that they left here on 
this table a pocket-book, containing a large sum of 
money in bank-bills. They do not find it, and 
probably have drawn the conclusion that one of us 
has taken it.” 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


I2I 


They all lifted their shoulders, muttering, and 
expressed their indignation at such a suspicion. 

“We do not actually accuse any one,” said Her- 
man. “ Strangers may have come here. Why be 
angry with me on account of it ? I declare and 
affirm that I forgot my pocket-book on that table — 
if I do not find it, so much the worse ; but were 
there two hundred of you, you could not make me 
believe that the pocket-book took unto itself wings 
and flew away.” 

“This is a little too much!” replied the inn- 
keeper — “ to wish to cast a slur on the good name 
of my house! If I did not contain myself” — 

He clinched his hands and surveyed the young 
men with angry eyes. 

A person seated in a corner of the room placed 
himself in front of the innkeeper. 

“My friend,” he said; “be calm and reasonable. 
These gentlemen have lost quite a large sum, which 
is not pleasant; they think they have lost their 
pocket-book here ; they may be mistaken, but you 
understand they neither suspect nor accuse any one. 
If they do not find the pocket-book, they will en- 
dure the loss without doubting the honesty of the 
people in your house.” 

“ Let them say so, then,” cried the innkeeper ; 
“for if they thought” — 

“ No, no,” interrupted the former, “ there must be 
no bitterness ; the best plan is to seek once more 
with care, and if it is not found, it will be proof 
positive it was not lost here.” 


122 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


The servants followed his advice and sought in 
every corner of the room, behind the buffets and 
curtains. The stranger approached the young men, 
took a chair beside them, and encouraged them in 
a friendly manner, consoling them as well as he 
could for the probable loss. Learning they would 
return that same evening to Lucerne, he told them 
he also was going there, but would spend the night 
at Sarnem, to await the arrival of the mail coach. 

The Flemings offered him a place in their car- 
riage He thanked them cordially for their polite- 
ness, and accepted it. 

During this time the servants had ceased their 
fruitless search and stood around the inn-keeper, 
with open mouths, who remained in the middle of 
the room grumbling to himself, and finally said to 
the young men, in a surly tone : 

“ The pocket-book is not here, and never has 
been. Seek it elsewhere — I have no more time to 
give to this business. Farewell, gentlemen, and 
take care not to think any one in a house like mine 
could lose any article whatever without finding it.’* 

He left the room, but returned immediately ; he 
was displeased and disquieted. The suspicions of 
the travelers wounded him deeply. 

Herman rose, and said : 

‘‘ There is nothing more to do — we must resign 
ourselves, and be consoled for this loss. Come, let 
us get into the carriage, and say to ourselves that it 
is better so than to have broken a leg or arm. We 
will get home a little sooner, that is all.” 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


123 


“ There are indeed greater troubles/* replied 
Max. ‘‘ We must make a virtue of necessity, only 
let us hasten to go ; it is not pleasant here for us — 
the master of the house looks at us as if he would 
like to gobble us up raw. I understand his indig- 
nation — but is it our fault?” 

Saying this, they had already made some steps 
towards the carriage, when suddenly one of the 
servants appeared at the half-open door of an ad- 
joining room, and called out from there, his face 
full of smiles, to the innkeeper — 

“ Sir, sir ! come here and see something. How 
strange this is! How remarkably queer! That 
good-for-nothing Mops has found the pocket-book.** 
All ran towards the adjoining room, where the 
servant pointed out a little brown dog asleep in a 
basket, his snout resting on the long looked-for 
pocket-book. 

I beg your pardon, gentlemen,** stammered 
forth the confused innkeeper, ‘‘but who would 
have supposed that infernal brute could have 
dragged your pocket-book into his nest ? It is at 
least a proof that nothing was forgotten on the 
table, but you had let it fall on the floor.’* 

Our two Flemings, in their joy at having recov- 
ered their money — for the pocket-book had not 
been opened — replied in a friendly tone to the inn- 
keeper, and generously rewarded the servant. They 
then got into the carriage, gave their new travelling 
companion the best place, and charged the driver 
to take them to Lucerne with all possible speed. 


124 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


At first, as was most natural, they talked only of 
the strange incident — to find the sum of eight 
hundred francs in a dog’s nest, just when they had 
lost all hope, and were about to leave. Why, in 
the mischief, had the dog picked up the pocket-book 
and carried it off to his basket ? It would naturally 
lead to a suspicion of the most honest people in the 
world. For when one is entirely and perfectly as- 
sured of having left an object in a certain place, 
and it cannot be found, is it not sufficient reason 
for believing some one has taken it ? 

When they had laughed and talked quite a length 
of time about the pocket-book that was lost and 
found, the conversation turned on other subjects. 
The friends learned from their traveling companion 
he was a Frenchman, and belonged to a house in 
the neighborhood of Bordeaux. He had already 
made a short trip to Switzerland for pleasure, and 
had then discovered that it would be very easy to 
introduce French wines. His actual home was 
Lucerne, and he traveled from that point to all the 
neighboring cities and towns to make sales. The 
consumption of French wines augmented every day 
in proportion as the number of strangers increased; 
so that he had great hopes of doing a good busi- 
ness. 

He in his turn asked the young men for particu- 
lars of themselves, that he might know them better 
and also whether they meant to spend some days 
at Lucerne. 

We had intended going up the Righi, to-mor- 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


125 


row,” replied Max, “ but to our great sorrow, we 
have been obliged to give it up for a particular 
reason. At this time there are on the Righi some 
people we do not wish to meet for anything in the 
world — so nothing is left us to do but take the 
steamboat for Fluelen.” 

In your place, I would make the ascent of Pila- 
tus,” said the Frenchman. 

‘‘ Is Pilatus a fine mountain, sir ?” 

“ As a mountain, it is far ahead of the Righi, 
though the latter is becoming more and more the 
fashion. Some six or seven years ago I was coming 
directly from Basle to Lucerne, with the sole inten- 
tion of ascending the Righi, for I had heard won- 
ders of it, but as I found myself on the quay at Lu- 
cerne, they pointed out to me on the left a mountain 
entirely covered with trees and verdant meadows, 
that was the Righi, On the right side, shooting up, 
as it were, from the bottom of the lake, towards 
heaven, was another mountain, steep, rocky, bare, 
sombre, and of a most striking aspect. I was told 
this was Pilatus, that a road had been cut on its 
rugged sides, a road that had cost no less than 
twenty-five thousand francs, and the summit could 
be reached in four hours. You may understand, gen- 
tlemen, that I did not hesitate a moment in my choice 
and went up Pilatus. It is still one of the liveliest 
memories I have of my first trip to Switzerland. 
There are two good hotels on Pilatus. Ascend that 
mountain, gentlemen, and you will thank me for 
the advice.” 


126 


THE PALE YOUNG MAIDEN. 


“Your description is interesting; how beautiful 
Pilatus must be to see ! exclaimed Herman. 

“ Beautiful ? say rather ugly, bare, rugged, and in 
that sense one of the most attractive mountains in 
Switzerland, that is, with respect to the few difficul- 
ties there are in making its ascent.*' 

“ The idea is not a bad one,” said Max ; “ in this 
way we will be enabled to visit one mountain in the 
environs of Lucerne. If it be not the Righi, it shall 
be Pilatus. The gentlemen has awakened my curi- 
osity. What do you say, Herman ? ” 

“ Mine also ; it is settled, we will ascend Pilatus 
to-morrow morning.” 

“ If this be your intention, gentlemen, I must tell 
you,” said the Frenchman, “that to visit Pilatus 
you are not obliged to go to Lucerne. On our 
road, five-fourths of a league from the town, is the 
village of Hergiswyh ; at the very foot of Pilatus, 
there is a good country inn. I know the host ; he 
is an excellent man, and has delicious wines in his 
cellar. You might pass the night there, and be 
ready to climb the mountain the next morning after 
breakfast. What do you think of it ? ” 

“ Thank you for the excellent advice, sir ; we will 
follow it,” said Max Rapelings. 

“Then I shall soon have to bid you farewell, 
gentlemen ; look out of the window to your left — 
that sombre height is ‘ the foot of Pilatus — I will 
pay for the carriage from Hergiswyh to Lucerne.*’ 
The Flemings replied it was paid for to Lucerne. 
The Frenchman had then nothing more to do than 
to give a generous gratuity to the driver. 


THE PALE YOUNG. MAIDEN. 12/ 

He resumed his talk of Mount Pilatus, of the 
first hotel on the Klemsenhorn, and the second one, 
which is situated much higher at the foot of the 
Ezel, (The Ass), of the road which is called Krisi- 
loch^ that ascends like a tunnel across the body of 
the mountain, and of many other details, until the 
moment they reached Hergiswyh. There, the 
Flemings exchanged cordial handshakes with their 
traveling companion and bade him farewell. 







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